25/03/2012  Shatin  Race 4

After being loaded, CAI BAO IN became fractious. Before being allowed to race again, CAI BAO IN will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. VIGOR DELIGHT was slow to begin. FUN HEROES and OWNERS’ GLORY made heavy contact at the start, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Shortly after the start, CONNOISSEUR’S PICK, which began awkwardly, was steadied when crowded for room between TONBRIDGE and RUN THE DISTANCE which shifted in. CONNOISSEUR’S PICK travelled wide and without cover until near the 1000 Metres at which point it improved to race outside the lead. After the 1000 Metres, OWNERS’ GLORY was left racing without cover. Approaching the 250 Metres, CAI BAO IN was steadied and shifted to the inside of CONNOISSEUR’S PICK to continue improving. Passing the 150 Metres, SUPER STRIKE raced in restricted room between ENABLING and VIGOR DELIGHT and over the concluding stages was shifted out away from the heels of VIGOR DELIGHT. When questioned, O Doleuze (STRAIGHT FORWARD) stated that after racing at the rear of the field throughout the early and middle stages, his mount improved its position to be racing behind VIGOR DELIGHT near the 600 Metres. He said he followed that horse into the Straight, however, VIGOR DELIGHT quickened better than STRAIGHT FORWARD did in the early part of the Straight. He said he shifted STRAIGHT FORWARD to the outside of runners and the horse commenced to close off the race satisfactorily, however, over the final 150 Metres finished off only one-paced. A veterinary inspection of STRAIGHT FORWARD and OWNERS’ GLORY after the race did not show any significant findings. EAGLE SPIRIT and CAI BAO IN were sent for sampling.