06/03/2011  Shatin  Race 6

From a wide barrier, PLENTIFUL was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. MASTER GUNNER was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and then passing the 200 Metres was steadied and shifted to the outside of BLESSING when that horse shifted in. CHAMPION MOUNT was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and then over the final 100 Metres was not able to obtain clear running. Because of this, CHAMPION MOUNT was not ridden out over the concluding stages as it normally would be. LONGWAH RISING was not able to obtain clear running until passing the 100 Metres. Over the concluding stages, REAL SUPREME shifted in under pressure. For the majority of the race, KEEN WONGCHOY travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. M W Leung (HONG KONG FAT) was warned against the practice of using the whip unnecessarily on a horse out of contention. When questioned, Y T Cheng stated that approaching the 900 Metres BLESSING commenced to over-race and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PLENTIFUL. He said as he was instructed to shift BLESSING to the outside of runners at the entrance to the Straight, he elected at this time, rather than have BLESSING continue to over-race, to shift to the outside of PLENTIFUL and improve his position to follow BLAZING SADDLES in the three wide position. He added however when he attempted to do this after the 800 Metres, PLENTIFUL shifted out to occupy the position behind BLAZING SADDLES which resulted in BLESSING travelling wide and without cover after this point. A veterinary inspection of BLAZING SADDLES after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, BLAZING SADDLES will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of KEEN WONGCHOY after the race did not show any significant findings. REAL SUPREME, LONGWAH RISING and PLENTIFUL were sent for sampling.