19/06/2011  Shatin  Race 7

VERY WELL began very awkwardly, shifted out and made heavy contact with the hindquarters of ROMA THUNDER which itself was taken out onto the hindquarters of DR WIN, resulting in all three horses becoming unbalanced. WINNING EDGE was slow to begin and then shortly after the start was crowded for room between VICTORY MASTER and WEALTH PARK which shifted out after also being slow to begin. After the 1000 Metres, HARVEST DANCER was steadied away from the heels of BLAZING SADDLES which was steadied to allow DR WIN to cross. BEST CITY, which was following HARVEST DANCER, was steadied in consequence and QUANTUM POWER, which was racing behind that horse, commenced to over-race badly, got its head up on a number of occasions and shifted out away from the heels of BEST CITY, resulting in GOOD GAINS being taken wider. After being taken wider, GOOD GAINS was allowed to stride forward and then for some distance after the 800 Metres proved very difficult to settle. After the 900 Metres, VICTORY MASTER was checked away from the heels of SMART TOUCH. Passing the 700 Metres, QUANTUM POWER, which was continuing to prove difficult to settle, was checked away from the heels of GOOD GAINS and shifted out, resulting in VERY WELL being taken wider. QUANTUM POWER continued to be awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOOD GAINS for some distance after this. When questioned, T Angland stated that rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, he was positioning BEST CITY to obtain a run between GOOD GAINS to his outside and HARVEST DANCER to his inside. He said at the entrance to the Straight he noticed that the rider of HARVEST DANCER looked to his left and commenced to shift to the outside of VICTORY MASTER. He said as BEST CITY was awkwardly placed inside the heels of GOOD GAINS and as he felt that HARVEST DANCER may continue to shift out to his inside, he momentarily steadied BEST CITY until the run between GOOD GAINS and HARVEST DANCER continued to be available at which point he immediately commenced to ride BEST CITY to avail himself of this run. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that HONEY FORTUNE had lost its right front plate. QUANTUM POWER, VICTORY MASTER and DR WIN were sent for sampling.