06/10/2012  Shatin  Race 5

As the start was effected, APPROVE lifted its front feet off the ground and was slow to begin. After being bumped heavily at the start by TAKE THE RAP, JADE CHRISTY was then crowded for room between that runner and FUEL ME UP. From the outside barrier, TAKE THE RAP was taken across behind runners soon after the start. Soon after the start, SPEECHMAKER (O Doleuze) shifted in and made contact with ABLE MAGIC. A short distance later, ABLE MAGIC was checked when crowded for room between SPEECHMAKER which continued to race tight to its outside and PERFECT JOY which shifted out after brushing DIAMOND RAINBOW. O Doleuze was advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to make more of an effort to help the runners to his inside. When the pace steadied at the 900 Metres, SILVER DRAGON commenced to prove very difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of PERFECT JOY which itself was steadied away from the heels of SPEECHMAKER. When SILVER DRAGON was checked, it shifted out and made heavy contact with DIAMOND RAINBOW which at that time was checked away from the heels of ABLE MAGIC which shifted in away from BLESS US ALL which got its head up and was also proving very difficult to settle. From the 800 Metres, BLESS US ALL and FUEL ME UP were obliged to race wide and without cover. After being crossed by ALWAYS WELL approaching the 700 Metres, MR AWARD shifted out, resulting in SUDDEN THUNDER being taken into a three wide position and without cover. BLESS US ALL again got its head up and raced ungenerously for some distance after leaving the 700 Metres. JADE CHRISTY, which was following BLESS US ALL, was hampered and taken wider. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SILVER DRAGON had lost its right hind plate. A veterinary inspection of BLESS US ALL after the race did not show any significant findings. ALWAYS WELL and SUDDEN THUNDER were sent for sampling.