18/09/2011  Shatin  Race 2

TANG PALACE was steadied when crowded for room at the start between SPEEDY which shifted in slightly and SILVER DRAGON which was taken out by YEE WONGCHOY. MY MEMORY began awkwardly. ABLE MAGIC was slow to begin. After the 1000 Metres, ABLE MAGIC proved difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions. For some distance passing the 800 Metres, SHOWTIME raced in restricted room between BEAUTIFUL SCENERY and COMMON GOAL. Then near the 700 Metres, SHOWTIME was steadied when crowded for room between BEAUTIFUL SCENERY and COMMON GOAL which was taken out slightly by SILVER DRAGON. After the 700 Metres, BESPOKE MASTER was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 600 Metres, ABLE MAGIC again got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TANG PALACE. Rounding the Home Turn, COMMON GOAL raced tight between BEAUTIFUL SCENERY and SILVER DRAGON. COMMON GOAL then had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. In the Straight, SILVER DRAGON got its head on the side and hung out. Also in the Straight, ABLE MAGIC got its head on the side and hung out. For this reason, M Du Plessis, its rider, changed the whip into his left hand passing the 200 Metres. Close to the finishing line, SILVER DRAGON changed lead legs and became unbalanced. Throughout the race, FASTALOT travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice C Y Ho stated that as he was instructed to take up a forward position, he began with a long rein on MATSUKAZE, however, the horse began very awkwardly and threw its head back, resulting in him being struck in the face. He said because of this he became unbalanced in the saddle and consequently MATSUKAZE lost ground and travelled further back in the field than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTIFUL SCENERY after the race did not show any significant findings. MY MEMORY and SILVER DRAGON were sent for sampling.