08/01/2012  Shatin  Race 5

As the start was effected, GIGGLES FOREVER lifted its front feet off the ground and bounded in the air, resulting in the horse losing a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, GIGGLES FOREVER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. SUNSHINE BOY was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, O’REILLY MAGIC was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Making the first turn after the 900 Metres, HAPPY BALL got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of DANEWIN TIGER. At the 400 Metres, SURFER BOY was bumped by DELISH which shifted out to obtain clear running. Throughout the race, both DANEWIN TIGER and FIRST CLASS travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, T Clark stated that from the wide barrier he had been instructed to allow NOVEL START to take up a forward position in front of midfield with cover if possible. He said in the early stages he attempted to obtain a position behind DANEWIN TIGER with cover, however, he was not able to steady NOVEL START to obtain the position behind DANEWIN TIGER and for this reason the horse travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. He said he used the whip on NOVEL START in the left hand in the early part of the Straight, however, prior to the 200 Metres NOVEL START commenced to hang in and for this reason he changed the whip into his right hand. He added that over the final 200 Metres NOVEL START continued to hang in and proved very difficult to ride over the final stages. After the race, it was noted that NAMJONG BLOSSOMS had blood present at the left nostril, however, an endoscopic examination of that horse did not reveal any blood in the trachea and accordingly NAMJONG BLOSSOMS was not deemed to have bled. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY TOGETHER and HAPPY BALL after the race did not show any significant findings. PERFECT FIT and DELISH were sent for sampling.