31/05/2015  Shatin  Race 9

From a wide barrier, CHARLES THE GREAT was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. At the 800 Metres, KEY WITNESS was inconvenienced when racing in restricted room between DIVINE CALLING and EXCITING DREAM which was racing tight inside SMART VOLATILITY. Approaching the 500 Metres, EXCITING DREAM and SMART VOLATILITY raced tight. Rounding the Home Turn, DUNDONNELL was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LOVELY DELOVELY and then shifted out towards the heels of DOMINEER. DIVINE CALLING, which was following DUNDONNELL, was hampered in consequence and FREDERICK ENGELS, which was trailing DIVING CALLING, was also checked away from the heels of that horse. At the entrance to the Straight, GOLDEN HARVEST was held up for clear running when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPER LIFELINE. Passing the 300 Metres, DIVINE CALLING shifted out and bumped KEY WITNESS. Approaching the 200 Metres, DIVINE CALLING and KEY WITNESS again bumped as a result of DIVINE CALLING shifting out marginally and then becoming unbalanced after making contact with KEY WITNESS. A short distance later, TOUR DE FORCE and KEY WITNESS were crowded for room between DIVINE CALLING (N Rawiller) which shifted out and CHARLES THE GREAT (T Berry) which shifted in when hanging in under pressure. Both N Rawiller and T Berry were severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that they make every endeavour in similar circumstances to prevent their mounts from shifting ground. After this, CHARLES THE GREAT continued to hang in under pressure and proved difficult to ride. Near the 100 Metres, FREDERICK ENGELS was shifted in away from the heels of SMART VOLATILITY. Also near the 100 Metres, DUNDONNELL was awkwardly placed outside the heels of DOMINEER. Close to the finishing line, DOMINEER was inconvenienced by EXCITING DREAM which shifted in and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. Throughout the race, DOMINEER and SMART VOLATILITY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the performance of RAD, D Whyte stated that after obtaining the lead passing the 900 Metres, he attempted to steady the pace, however, when LOVELY DELOVELY improved to his outside, RAD would not settle and he was unable to ease RAD and allowed LOVELY DELOVELY to cross. He said in the early part of the Straight RAD initially responded well, however, came under pressure after the 300 Metres and then weakened out of the race over the final 200 Metres. He added that whilst RAD was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened in the Straight, he believed that the horse had some excuses in that it would not settle when taken on in the lead. A veterinary inspection of RAD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of DUNDONNELL and DIVINE CALLING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NOT LISTENIN’TOME and CHARLES THE GREAT were sent for sampling.