15/06/2014  Shatin  Race 5

MASTER GUNNER was slow to begin. BAMBOO DANCE began only fairly. From the outside barrier, DARK SECRET was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, SHANTARAAM failed to muster speed and shortly after the start was shifted across behind runners. Passing the 1300 Metres, BAMBOO DANCE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WIN ALONG and in doing so shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of SUPER HORSE. After the 1000 Metres, REAL GENERAL was left racing wide and without cover. After the 900 Metres, WIN ALONG lost ground when being checked away from the heels of TRIUMPHANT DRAGON. BAMBOO DANCE, which was following WIN ALONG, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Passing the 400 Metres, LIFE OF BEAUTY, which was inclined to lay in, got it head up when being checked out away from the heels of REAL GENERAL (Apprentice C Y Lui) which shifted out. SHANTARAAM, which was racing outside of LIFE OF BEAUTY, was hampered when that horse shifted out. Apprentice Lui was advised that whilst his shift had not been a great one and that LIFE OF BEAUTY had over-reacted to the incident, nonetheless he was reprimanded and advised that he must in future make every endeavour to keep his mounts on a straight course. After the 400 Metres, ORIENTAL FANTASIA raced in restricted room inside INFINITE COURAGE. Passing the 300 Metres, MASTER GUNNER was momentarily baulked for a clear run between BRILLIANT LIGHT which got its head on the side and shifted out slightly and COOL PAL which was giving ground. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of COOL PAL, H Bowman stated that the tempo of the race was significantly quicker than the horse’s last start when it was able to lead. He said, from a wide barrier, he rode his mount positively in the early stages to take up a forward position and had hoped that INFINITE COURAGE would continue on into the lead after the 1400 Metres in front of ORIENTAL FANTASIA which would allow COOL PAL the opportunity to sit outside that horse. He said when ORIENTAL FANTASIA maintained its position inside INFINITE COURAGE, he was left racing three wide and without cover until after the 1000 Metres at which time he was able to shift in and obtain cover behind INFINITE COURAGE. He added as soon as he obtained cover behind INFINITE COURAGE, COOL PAL came off the bridle and immediately came under heavy pressure. He said despite being vigorously ridden along, COOL PAL gave ground noticeably from the 600 Metres. He said in addition to the tempo of the race being run differently today as compared to its last start, he felt that COOL PAL did not seem to him to appreciate racing behind another runner in the race. A veterinary inspection of COOL PAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of TRIUMPHANT DRAGON, T Berry stated that the horse travelled well in the early and middle stages. He said he was obliged to shift TRIUMPHANT DRAGON out from behind COOL PAL near the 600 Metres as that horse was not travelling well. He said no sooner had he shifted TRIUMPHANT DRAGON out the horse came under pressure and gave ground noticeably in the Straight. The Veterinary Officer reported that a full endoscopic examination of TRIUMPHANT DRAGON was not able to be performed due to the fractious nature of the horse, however, no significant findings were detected. A veterinary inspection of LIFE OF BEAUTY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, due to the fractious nature of the horse, an endoscopic examination was unable to be performed. WIN ALONG and ORIENTAL FANTASIA were sent for sampling.