01/03/2008  Shatin  Race 9

THE GOODIES was slow to begin and lost a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, THE GOODIES will have to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. SUPER GOAL MASTER began awkwardly and lost ground. On jumping, HAPPY MASTER knuckled. From shortly after straightening until after the 200 Metres, HAPPY MASTER had difficulty obtaining clear running. Near the 100 Metres, SUPER GOAL MASTER became unbalanced and was steadied when crowded for room between WINNING SPEED which when giving ground shifted in and HAPPY MASTER which shifted out. No action was taken. In this incident, WINNING SPEED bumped SUPER GOAL MASTER and then shifted out, causing crowding on its outside to KING OF TURF which when closing the race off strongly was checked. In the Straight, SIGHT WINNER hung in and proved difficult to ride. Apprentice C W Wong (WAIT FOR ME) explained he had been instructed to ride the horse in a rearward position as is usual. He said accordingly he came across behind runners in the early stages and allowed WAIT FOR ME to be properly balanced. He said he did not believe it was in the best interest of WAIT FOR ME to make use of the horse in the early stages and because of this he became detached from the main body of the field. He said after the 800 Metres he commenced urging WAIT FOR ME to go forward and it had joined the main field on straightening. He said in the early part of the Home Straight WAIT FOR ME was hanging in as is usual, therefore he slapped the horse down the shoulder with the whip. He said after the 200 Metres he rode WAIT FOR ME out fully and the horse finished the race off strongly while continuing to hang in. Apprentice Wong was told his riding on this occasion had come under notice and he must ensure he rides his mounts in a manner which is not open to query. D Beadman (KING OF TURF) said throughout the race his horse through immaturity did not feel balanced in its action. He said prior to straightening he commenced to ride KING OF TURF along in an endeavour to improve his position, however, initially the horse did not respond. He said after straightening KING OF TURF commenced to hang in and he noted HAPPY MASTER attempting to obtain running close to the rail, he therefore allowed his mount to drift in in an endeavour to follow that horse through. He said after the 200 Metres when HAPPY MASTER was having difficulty obtaining clear running and KING OF TURF commenced to respond to his riding, he shifted the horse wider on the track, however, the horse was inconvenienced when attempting to obtain a run between WINNING SPEED and RIGHT FRAAR and as a result was checked. E Saint-Martin (TRIUMPHANT DIAMOND) said from a wide barrier he had been instructed to ride the horse quietly. He said in his opinion the early sections of the race were run at a fast tempo and as a consequence he was in a position detached from the main body of the field. He said TRIUMPHANT DIAMOND failed to close the race off and in his opinion was disappointing. E Saint-Martin was told where circumstances allow he should ensure horses ridden by him do not get too far out of their ground. TRIUMPHANT DIAMOND was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of TRIUMPHANT DIAMOND after the race did not show any significant findings. SIGHT WINNER and WAIT FOR ME were sent for sampling.