20/11/2011  Shatin  Race 1

Whilst in the saddling stalls, BENEFACTOR had its left front plate refitted. BENEFACTOR was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. DREAMS MAKER was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, SURROUNDED was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Near the 1200 Metres, REAL GENEROUS was crowded for room by A-SPIRIT (D Beadman) which shifted in before relieving the tightening. D Beadman was advised to exercise more care in future. Approaching the 1000 Metres, NOBLE DE BEST commenced to race fiercely and for some distance was checked away from the heels of SHINING TREASURES. In this incident, NOBLE DE BEST shifted in and made contact with the hindquarters of REAL GENEROUS which became unbalanced when awkwardly placed close to the heels of A-SPIRIT. FRIENDS SUPPORT, which was following REAL GENEROUS, was steadied in consequence. In the early part of the Straight, A-SPIRIT had difficulty obtaining clear running. Near the 350 Metres, SURROUNDED, which was having difficulty obtaining clear running, was checked when disappointed for running between PATRIOCH and WHITE HART KING. After this, SURROUNDED was shifted to the outside of WHITE HART KING into clear running. REAL GENEROUS had difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 300 Metres. After the 200 Metres, LUCKY NISTELROOY got its head on the side and lay in. Throughout the race, PATRIOCH travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, T Clark (ISTIDE) stated that in its previous runs this season, the horse had to be ridden along in an endeavour to obtain a forward position and because of this it had not been able to finish off its races. He said for this reason he was asked to ride ISTIDE more quietly today than is usual in an endeavour to have the horse be able to close off its race. When questioned, M Guyon (LUCKY NISTELROOY) stated that he had attempted to find a position with cover behind SPEEDY in the early stages so as to obtain cover as instructed. He said due to the tempo of the race and the positioning of horses in the early stages, he was not able to obtain the position behind SPEEDY. He said he did give consideration to allowing LUCKY NISTELROOY to improve, however, he felt at the time that it would be better to allow LUCKY NISTELROOY to remain balanced rather than to use the horse up in an attempt to cross SPEEDY to its inside. He added that in hindsight he may have been better to have allowed LUCKY NISTELROOY to improve rather than to race wide and without cover. M Guyon was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, given the tempo of the race and the manner in which LUCKY NISTELROOY was travelling, that he had erred in not attempting to allow LUCKY NISTELROOY to improve its position in the early and middle stages. A veterinary inspection of DREAMS MAKER after the race revealed the horse to have sustained a cut wound to the outside of the left front cannon. LUCKY NISTELROOY, BENEFACTOR and REAL GENEROUS were sent for sampling.