11/06/2011  Shatin  Race 4

ROYAL KNIGHT, which proved difficult to load, began awkwardly and then shortly after the start was bumped by BULLISH CASH which shifted out. Before being allowed to race again, ROYAL KNIGHT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. KOENIGSBERG blundered badly at the start. FISHKING GLORY was slow to begin and then shortly after the start was ridden along vigorously to make up lost ground and after racing wide and without cover in the early and middle stages was able to shift in to a two wide position approaching the 800 Metres. From the outside barrier, DALKAN was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the 800 Metres, STORM’S DESTINY was left racing wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice K C Ng stated that he had been advised by Trainer J Moore that SUNNY MORE is a horse which can over-race and prove difficult to manage. He said for this reason, passing the 1300 Metres, he left some room between his mount and the leader, HEALTHY BLUEBERRY. He said approaching the 1200 Metres he became aware that the rider of HANDSOME BATCHELOR was looking to shift in to obtain a position behind HEALTHY BLUEBERRY and in front of SUNNY MORE. He said as he believed that he would have had to ride SUNNY MORE along to prevent HANDSOME BATCHELOR from shifting in, he elected to steady his mount so as to ensure that the horse did not commence to over-race. He said this resulted in SUNNY MORE having to be steadied away from the heels of HANDSOME BATCHELOR for some distance. Apprentice Ng was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he would have been better served by maintaining his position directly behind HEALTHY BLUEBERRY and inside HANDSOME BATCHELOR rather than allowing that horse to obtain the position in front of SUNNY MORE. When questioned regarding the performance of HANDSOME BATCHELOR, Apprentice C Y Ho stated that his mount travelled well throughout the race and rounding the Home Turn was travelling as though it may finish in the placings. He said however that after being shifted to the outside of HEALTHY BLUEBERRY, HANDSOME BATCHELOR quickly came under pressure and did not respond to his riding. He said in the Straight HANDSOME BATCHELOR got its head up and was awkward in its action. He added that after the finishing line HANDSOME BATCHELOR’s action in front did not feel comfortable. A veterinary inspection of SUNNY MORE and HANDSOME BATCHELOR after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FISHKING GLORY after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, FISHKING GLORY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUNNY MORE, ROYAL KNIGHT and HEALTHY BLUEBERRY were sent for sampling.