25/11/2007  Shatin  Race 8

Prior to weighed-in being declared, the Stewards viewed the official video of the start to satisfy themselves that the blindfold which had been applied to LUCKY MONEY did not prevent the horse from having a fair start. As the Stewards were satisfied LUCKY MONEY had not had an unfair start, weighed-in was declared. At the 1500 Metres, HOLIGAN was steadied when awkwardly placed inside SOUTH BREEZE. After the 800 Metres, PRIME TARGET was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of MAVERICK. From on straightening until after the 300 Metres, NASA PEARL was held up and unable to obtain clear running. Shortly after straightening, LUCKY MONEY commenced to hang in. As Y T Cheng, the horse’s rider, changed the whip into his right hand after the 400 Metres, he momentarily dropped the right rein. When this occurred, LUCKY MONEY shifted in and was then steadied away from the heels of ON SHAN BRAVE. Approaching the 300 Metres, LUCKY MONEY, which was continuing to hang in, was again steadied away from the heels of ON SHAN BRAVE. Throughout the race, SOUTH BREEZE travelled wide and without cover. F Coetzee (RIGHT FRAAR) said from a wide barrier he had been instructed to ride the horse in midfield or worse with cover. He said it had been pointed out to him that if ridden forward and particularly without cover, in the past RIGHT FRAAR had raced keenly. He said RIGHT FRAAR was fractious in its stall and reared just prior to the start being effected, however, began well and in accordance with his instructions he immediately steadied his mount to allow runners on the inside to go forward. He said as he steadied, PRIME TARGET which had drawn to his inside also came back to race in a rearward position and as a consequence he took RIGHT FRAAR to the rear to ensure it obtained the position with cover. He explained he had also been informed prior to the start that RIGHT FRAAR does not appreciate racing inside other runners, he therefore remained racing away from the rail when following HOLIGAN at the rear. He said at the 800 Metres he commenced to improve around that horse. He said in the Straight RIGHT FRAAR only finished the race off fairly. When questioned, D Whyte (PALETTE THE BEST) said he was instructed to remain racing away from the fence due to the manner in which today’s track was racing and also it is thought PALETTE THE BEST at this stage of its career is not confident racing inside other runners. He said because of this approaching the 1600 Metres when LUCKY MONEY improved its position, he did not ride along to maintain a position behind that horse as he was aware MAVERICK was commencing to shift in from wide on the track. He said if he had improved his position at this stage of the race, MAVERICK when shifting in would have carried him to a position on the rail, he therefore allowed MAVERICK to shift to a position in front of him. He also said for him to have prevented MAVERICK from shifting in, he would have been required to make use of PALETTE THE BEST as MAVERICK was travelling better at this time. PRIME TARGET was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of PRIME TARGET after the race did not show any significant findings. PALETTE THE BEST, SOUTH BREEZE and FLORAL NIRVANA were sent for sampling.