04/05/2008  Shatin  Race 5

On jumping, LOHAN was crowded for room outside TYCOON TAYLOR which shifted out. FIRST KNIGHT was slow into stride. Shortly after the start, ISTIDE, which was racing awkwardly and was inclined to shift out, was steadied away from the heels of HOT SUN (Apprentice C W Wong) which shifted in when not properly clear. In the circumstances, Apprentice Wong was reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. After the 1200 Metres, GOOD PARTNER became unbalanced when bumped by ZEPHYRUS (Apprentice K T Yeung) which shifted in while being ridden along. Apprentice Yeung was told to exercise greater care. Approaching the 1100 Metres, REDHILL COMMANDER got its head up and became unbalanced when awkwardly placed between the heels of LUCKY DRAGON and BEST FRIEND. Throughout the race, CELESTIAL WONDER travelled wide and without cover and making the turn at the 800 Metres hung out. At the 700 Metres, LOHAN was steadied when awkwardly placed outside the heels of FIRST KNIGHT and inside BEST FRIEND. In the early part of the Straight, ISTIDE proved difficult to shift out into clear running. From shortly after straightening until after the 200 Metres, FIRST KNIGHT was held up and unable to improve. For a considerable distance approaching the 200 Metres, TYCOON TAYLOR had difficulty obtaining clear running behind HOT SUN which when giving ground commenced to hang out. For the major part of the race, WIN MORE hung in and near the 200 Metres when giving ground was steadied when crowded for room between ZEPHYRUS and TYCOON TAYLOR which shifted out. D Whyte (LUCKY DRAGON) said he was instructed to ride the horse where it was comfortable. He said he was aware the horse had gone forward from wide barriers in slowly run races at its two most recent starts. He said he anticipated the pace of today’s race to be stronger than that in LUCKY DRAGON’s recent starts and therefore despite the horse beginning well he elected from the outside barrier to take it back to a position with cover. He said LUCKY DRAGON closed the race off fairly. TYCOON TAYLOR was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of TYCOON TAYLOR after the race did not show any significant findings. GOOD PARTNER and BEST FRIEND were sent for sampling.