01/06/2014  Shatin  Race 7

REDWOOD BABY began only fairly. Despite being aggressively ridden in the early stages, WINNING MASCOT failed to muster speed and was unable to cross WHY NOT to its inside and then after being crossed by SMART BALL and GRACEFUL KINGDOM near the 1500 Metres was then left racing wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. After the 400 Metres, REDWOOD BABY got its head on the side and lay out and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of JAEGER BOMB. REDWOOD BABY continued to lay out under pressure in the Straight. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GRACEFUL KINGDOM, T Berry stated that the horse sweated up badly before the race. He said after being able to obtain a good position in the early stages, GRACEFUL KINGDOM came under pressure prior to the 600 Metres and then was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race in the Straight. He added GRACEFUL KINGDOM had been successful at its most recent start on a “Good to Yielding” track and that track surface may have been more to the horse’s liking than today’s “Good to Firm” surface. He said however, in his opinion, the principal reason he could assign to the horse’s disappointing performance was the manner in which the horse got worked up prior to the race being run. A veterinary inspection of GRACEFUL KINGDOM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of RED DANCER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. REDWOOD BABY, WHAT YOU DREAM and SMART BALL were sent for sampling.