01/07/2012  Shatin  Race 9

From the outside barrier, MAKE A FORTUNE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, WILLING ONE raced tight between FREAK ZONE and HELENE FUN STAR which shifted in. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, HAPPY SEVEN was slow to muster speed. SUPREME FLIGHT was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight. Near the 300 Metres, CLASSIC JEWELLERY was crowded for room between ABSOLUTE FANTASY and SUPREME FLIGHT which shifted out to obtain clear running. Passing the 300 Metres, FOREVER ELATION had some difficulty obtaining clear running. Near the 50 Metres, FREAK ZONE was bumped by FOREVER ELATION. A short distance later, FREAK ZONE was steadied away from the heels of NICE FOLKS which shifted in. For the majority of the race, ABSOLUTE FANTASY, CIRCUIT STAR and MR GINGER all travelled wide and without cover. M Du Plessis (BET ON ME) reported that he had been instructed to position that horse in about midfield if possible, however, BET ON ME began very well and although he did not ride the horse along in the early stages, it assumed a forward position. He said he felt that it would not have been reasonable to restrain BET ON ME to obtain the position as instructed, therefore he allowed the horse to cross runners to his inside and race in the lead. When questioned, W Pike stated that he had been instructed to attempt to obtain a midfield position on SUPREME FLIGHT, but he was to ensure that the horse had cover as it had previously proved difficult to manage when unable to obtain cover. He said as the start was effected, SUPREME FLIGHT began awkwardly and lifted its front feet off the ground. He said after this he rode his mount along in an endeavour to make up lost ground, however, there were a number of runners positioned to his inside and as he had been instructed to ensure he obtained cover, rather than continuing to race wide, he elected, after the 1200 Metres, to steady SUPREME FLIGHT with a view to obtaining a position with cover behind CLASSIC JEWELLERY. He said however that he was not able to shift in behind that horse due to NICE FOLKS being positioned to his inside, but nonetheless he was able to obtain cover behind CIRCUIT STAR. He said the circumstances of today’s race resulted in SUPREME FLIGHT racing further back than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of CLASSIC JEWELLERY and WILLING ONE after the race revealed that both horses were displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being permitted to race again, CLASSIC JEWELLERY and WILLING ONE will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CLASSIC JEWELLERY, NICE FOLKS and SUPREME FLIGHT were sent for sampling.