05/05/2013  Shatin  Race 1

DILIGENT III was slow to begin. Passing the 1200 Metres, FIVE STARS HOTEL blundered when racing close to the heels of KHAYA which shifted out slightly after being crossed by JUST MISTERE. In the early and middle stages, KHAYA proved difficult to settle. Rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, FIVE STARS HOTEL was held up for clear running. Near the 300 Metres, KHAYA and DILIGENT III raced tight as DILIGENT III shifted out to obtain clear running. For the majority of the race, STEP HIGH travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. When questioned, W C Marwing stated at its last start over 1600 Metres, HIT A HOME RUN weakened badly after travelling well in a forward position. He said after the race he recommended to connections that they considered riding the horse more quietly given the manner in which it compounded in the race. He said accordingly today with HIT A HOME RUN dropping back in distance to 1400 Metres, he had been asked to ride the horse quietly to see if it would finish off better than it did at its most recent start. He added he shifted HIT A HOME RUN across behind runners in the early stages to a position at the rear of the field. He said in the Straight HIT A HOME RUN closed off the race well and consequently raced much better than it did at its most recent start. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of WINNING ADVANTAGE, R Fourie stated that stepping up in distance to 1400 Metres, it was anticipated that WINNING ADVANTAGE would be able to show good gate speed and would take up a forward position. He said in the early stages WINNING ADVANTAGE travelled into a forward position without any use having to be made of it and after shifting in to race outside JUST MISTERE in the early stages then travelled comfortably. He said however that passing the 600 Metres WINNING ADVANTAGE came under pressure to hold its position and after this was very disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground. A veterinary inspection of WINNING ADVANTAGE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. A veterinary inspection of STEP HIGH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that VICTORY IDE SAY had lost its left front plate. KHAYA, GLACIER BLUE and DILIGENT III were sent for sampling.