30/03/2008  Shatin  Race 7

GILDED FLIGHT was slow to begin. JOLLY GOOD FORTUNE began awkwardly, bounded in the air and then bumped with BRILLIANT CHAPTER. After this, JOLLY GOOD FORTUNE proved difficult to settle in the early and middle stages. NORTH HILL was slow to muster speed in the early stages. From a wide barrier, SING FAY FAY was taken across behind runners in the early stages. STAREILLY made the turn at the 800 Metres awkwardly, got its head up and hung out. At the 700 Metres, GILDED FLIGHT was steadied away from the heels of GUNNER MAC. From on straightening until after the 300 Metres, STAREILLY had difficulty obtaining clear running. For some distance after straightening, NORTH HILL was awkwardly placed outside the heels of EVER BEAUTY and tight inside GOOD PARTNER. After the 300 Metres, EVER BEAUTY, which was giving ground, was bumped by GILDED FLIGHT which when having difficulty obtaining clear running was steadied and shifted to the outside of KING PRAWN SUPREME. Also after the 300 Metres, GOOD PARTNER was checked when crowded for room between NAMJONG FIGHTERS and NORTH HILL which shifted out away from EVER BEAUTY when that runner was carried wider by GILDED FLIGHT. No action was taken. Over the concluding stages, DON FELIPE hung in. Throughout the race, GOOD PARTNER and EVER BEAUTY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, B Prebble (BRILLIANT CHAPTER) said in the early stages his mount travelled keenly and approaching the 800 Metres when in a four wide position he elected to steady and shift into a three wide position with cover. He said BRILLIANT CHAPTER continued to travel ungenerously when following JOLLY GOOD FORTUNE and when that horse was over-racing and travelling close to the heels of the runners in front, he at the 700 Metres elected to come back further to allow his mount comfortable racing room. He said when he did this BRILLIANT CHAPTER dropped the bit and he immediately commenced to ride his mount along. He said in the early part of the Straight BRILLIANT CHAPTER responded only fairly to his riding and over the concluding stages was disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground. He added on pulling up BRILLIANT CHAPTER made an abnormal breathing noise. He said in his opinion BRILLIANT CHAPTER will be better suited racing over distances of further than the 1200 Metres of today’s race. BRILLIANT CHAPTER was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, BRILLIANT CHAPTER was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said an endoscopic examination showed the horse to have a throat inflammation. Before being allowed to race again, BRILLIANT CHAPTER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. EVER BEAUTY was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, EVER BEAUTY was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said there were no significant findings other than the horse had lost its right front plate. GUNNER MAC, KING PRAWN SUPREME and GILDED FLIGHT were sent for sampling.