14/12/2008  Shatin  Race 9

ABLE DRAGON and LEGEND OF COLOUR bumped at the start. A short distance later, ABLE DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of BERIO which shifted out slightly. YOUNG ELITE was slow into stride and then in the early stages proved difficult to settle. In the early stages, STOLEN THUNDER was taken back. At the 1500 Metres, LEGEND OF COLOUR was bumped by TRIUMPHANT DIAMOND which when proving difficult to settle shifted out. For some distance approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, TRIUMPHANT DIAMOND raced tight inside STILTON (C Soumillon ) which shifted in. C Soumillon was severely reprimanded. Near the 1100 Metres, WIN AGAIN, which commenced to over-race and proved difficult to settle, got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of BERIO which after initially being clear was steadied and then shifted in when not quite clear. As the Stewards were satisfied WIN AGAIN had itself contributed to this incident, no action was taken. On straightening, LEGEND OF COLOUR was steadied away from the heels of STILTON which itself shifted out after being bumped by STOLEN THUNDER. Over the final 200 Metres, STILTON was inclined to hang in. Passing the 200 Metres, SUPERNOVA was held up for clear running when close to the heels of MORE BOUNTIFUL, then passing the 150 Metres was shifted to the inside of BERIO to obtain clear running. In the Straight, YOUNG ELITE hung in. B Prebble (BERIO) explained the intention had been to ride the horse behind midfield if possible. He said as the horse had over-raced at its most recent start when being ridden quietly, blinkers had been removed from the horse’s gear. He said today BERIO began well and immediately travelled forward without being ridden along to do so. He said as BERIO would not relax for him, he allowed the horse to continue on to race outside the lead to avoid travelling wide and without cover. MORE BOUNTIFUL and BERIO were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SUPERNOVA had lost its left front plate.