25/03/2012  Shatin  Race 10

After being loaded, PERFECT CHEERS became fractious and reared on a number of occasions. Before being allowed to race again, PERFECT CHEERS will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. ATHENIUM began awkwardly. LOVING STAR was slow to begin and then shortly after the start was steadied when crowded for room between SECRETARY OF STATE and RIGHT TIMING which shifted out after being bumped by ALWAYS SOMETHING. From wide barriers, REAL GENEROUS, NORTH HILL and IRON EAGLE were all taken across behind runners shortly after the start. When being steadied in the early stages, PERFECT CHEERS got its head up on a number of occasions and proved difficult to settle. Near the 1500 Metres, LOVING STAR was awkwardly placed outside the heels of ALWAYS SOMETHING which shifted out. Over the final 100 Metres, LOVING STAR shifted out under pressure whilst REAL GENEROUS shifted in under pressure. Over the concluding stages, IRON EAGLE raced in restricted room between BURGUNDY MAC and ALWAYS SOMETHING which shifted out away from the heels of ATHENIUM. When questioned, B Prebble stated that travelling along the Back Straight WON TON KING PRAWN lay out and was reluctant to proceed over to race near the rail. He said however that once FLYING TOGETHER crossed WON TON KING PRAWN approaching the 800 Metres, WON TON KING PRAWN commenced to travel more generously. He said WON TON KING PRAWN made the Home Turn satisfactorily, however, when placed under pressure in the early part of the Straight commenced to hang out badly. He said WON TON KING PRAWN continued to hang out in the Straight when placed under pressure and shifted out a number of horses. He added because of the manner in which WON TON KING PRAWN was hanging and as it was a beaten horse, he did not continue to ride that horse out over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of WON TON KING PRAWN after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of WON TON KING PRAWN, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, WON TON KING PRAWN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of RIGHT TIMING, D Whyte stated that his mount travelled well in front of midfield. He said rounding the Home Turn he shifted RIGHT TIMING to the outside of FLUKE to improve its position, however, RIGHT TIMING immediately came under pressure. He said he placed RIGHT TIMING under pressure in the Straight, however, despite being ridden along, the horse did not respond to his riding and weakened badly over the final 200 Metres. He added after the race he advised Mr J Size, the trainer of RIGHT TIMING, that the horse would benefit from a let-up as, in his opinion, it raced “flat” today. A veterinary inspection of RIGHT TIMING after the race did not show any significant findings. LOVING STAR and YUE LU TREASURE were sent for sampling.