21/06/2015  Shatin  Race 8

After being loaded, WONDERFUL COUPLES became fractious and got its head into the adjoining stall. WONDERFUL COUPLES was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, WONDERFUL COUPLES will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. ULTIMATE GLORY began awkwardly. COLOSSUS shifted in at the start, resulting in PACKING GO GO being crowded for room outside GENEROUS BOBO. From wide barriers, BERLINI and MODERN TSAR were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being steadied in the early stages, GENEROUS BOBO proved difficult to settle and after being left racing wide after the 1100 Metres was allowed to improve into a more forward position, however, continued to race wide and without cover outside the lead. Near the 1050 Metres, ULTIMATE GLORY was steadied when crowded for room between KIRAM and SHINING CHAMPION which shifted out slightly. After the 600 Metres, ULTIMATE GLORY lay out and near the 550 Metres was steadied and lost ground when awkwardly placed inside the heels of SHINING CHAMPION which shifted in marginally. LUCKY SCEPTER lost its right front plate at the 500 Metres. Shortly after entering the Straight, ULTIMATE GLORY was shifted in away from the heels of GRACEFUL KINGDOM and for some distance prior to the 300 Metres was held up for clear running behind ALWAYS WIN. Near the 350 Metres, BERLINI was shifted out away from the heels of MODERN TSAR. Passing the 250 Metres, WONDERFUL COUPLES was bumped by LUCKY SCEPTER which shifted out to obtain clear running. When questioned, T H So stated that he had been asked to have BAAB AL NASR travelling where it was comfortable and to obtain cover if it was at all possible. He said in the early stages he steadied BAAB AL NASR in an attempt to obtain a trailing position behind GRACEFUL KINGDOM. He said however that due to the circumstances of the race in the early stages, particularly KIRAM being ridden along to maintain its position, he was left racing wide and without cover after the 800 Metres. He said when GENEROUS BOBO was allowed to improve its position forward of his mount near the 900 Metres, he promptly attempted to steady BAAB AL NASR as he was aware that he would be able to obtain a trailing position behind that horse. He added however that when GENEROUS BOBO improved around his mount, BAAB AL NASR commenced to travel strongly and he was not able to immediately get the horse to relax and take a trailing position. He said he continued to steady BAAB AL NASR and was eventually able to obtain a trailing position behind GENEROUS BOBO after the 700 Metres. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MULTIMAX, Apprentice K C Ng stated that his mount was not favoured by being challenged by a number of runners racing to his outside in the early and middle stages. He said despite this MULTIMAX commenced to travel satisfactorily in the middle stages, however, came under pressure near the 500 Metres to maintain its positon. He added this is unusual for MULTIMAX as it does not usually come under pressure after entering the Home Straight. He said MULTIMAX initially quickened well in the early part of the Straight, however, near the 300 Metres commenced to give ground and then weakened over the concluding stages. He added the manner in which MULTIMAX failed to close off the race indicated to him that the horse did not handle the track conditions. He said also it may have been that MULTIMAX was in the worst going given the horses in the placings came from well away from the rail. A veterinary inspection of MULTIMAX immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY SCEPTER and GRACEFUL KINGDOM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MULTIMAX, BERLINI and MODERN TSAR were sent for sampling.