16/03/2008  Shatin  Race 10

GALLANT LION and HE CAN TANGO were slow to begin. In the early stages, SECRET OF KINGS proved difficult to settle. Near the 1200 Metres, HELENE PILLAGING was checked when momentarily crowded for room inside JOY AND FUN which shifted in when being steadied away from the heels of PRIME SCORE (Apprentice C W Wong) which after initially being clear shifted in when not properly clear. In the circumstances, Apprentice Wong was severely reprimanded and told in similar circumstances he should refrain from easing the pace of his mounts as he crosses other runners. After the 1000 Metres, HELENE PILLAGING was left racing wide and without cover. Prior to straightening, LUCKY HERO was bumped and carried wider by DON FELIPE. On straightening, MY HOME TOWN shifted out and bumped ISLAND SUPER which as a result became unbalanced. For some distance in the early part of the Straight, GALLANT LION had difficulty obtaining clear running. In the early part of the Straight, DON FELIPE had difficulty obtaining clear running and at the 300 Metres was steadied when disappointed for running between GALLANT LION and MY HOME TOWN. Near the 300 Metres, HE CAN TANGO, which had been held up and unable to obtain clear running, was steadied and shifted to the outside of REGENCY DRAGON. At the 150 Metres, B Fayd'herbe (REGENCY DRAGON) momentarily dropped his left rein. D Beadman (LUCKY HERO) said he had been instructed to ride the horse in a position with cover as now the horse is racing in high class races, it was thought it may have difficulty being ridden in a forward position and being successful He said in the early stages of today’s race he restrained LUCKY HERO which for a short distance proved difficult to settle, however, after the 1200 Metres LUCKY HERO settled and then travelled kindly in the run. He said LUCKY HERO was bumped by another runner prior to straightening and took some time to become rebalanced. He said LUCKY HERO over the concluding stages finished the race off strongly. He said he believed the intention will be for LUCKY HERO to be ridden with cover in future, however, it may be in a more forward position from a more favourable barrier. D Whyte (MY HOME TOWN), which was racing over 1400 Metres for the first time today, said he had been instructed from a wide barrier to ride the horse with cover. He said accordingly in the early stages he took MY HOME TOWN across behind runners and rode it quietly in the hope that it would finish the race off. He said it was felt if MY HOME TOWN were ridden in a forward position, the horse would be left racing in a wide position which would be to its disadvantage at its first run over the distance. He said MY HOME TOWN travelled satisfactorily until entering the Home Straight, however, was disappointing in the manner in which it finished the race off and in his opinion raced "flat". MY HOME TOWN was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. ISLAND SUPER was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of MY HOME TOWN and ISLAND SUPER after the race did not show any significant findings. JOY AND FUN and PRIME SCORE were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported JOY AND FUN had sustained an abrasion to the left hind leg as a result of being galloped on.