13/12/2009  Shatin  Race 3

On arrival at the barriers, OCEAN WIDE, which kicked a rail in the saddling enclosure, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. TAVERNER began awkwardly and was then steadied away from the heels of ISLAND SUPER. As a result, TAVERNER lost ground. After being slow to begin, TAVERNER was ridden along to obtain a more forward position and near the 900 Metres became unbalanced when awkwardly placed between ALWAYS GIGGLE which shifted out when being steadied away from the heels of PRESTO and POLYGOLD which shifted in. Shortly after the start, ISLAND SUPER, ABLE SPEED and PRIME CHAMPION were all badly hampered when crowded for room outside HEARTLINE which shifted out abruptly. Also shortly after the start, LITTLE DREAMS was steadied away from the heels of ROYAL PERICLES which shifted in. From wide barriers, both GREAT GUY and CRAIG’S DRAGON were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the 200 Metres, POLYGOLD was steadied away from the heels of PRIME CHAMPION. Near the 100 Metres, CRAIG’S DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of HEARTLINE which was shifting to the outside of BULLISH GOLD to improve. As a result, CRAIG’S DRAGON shifted in to continue into clear running. In this incident, PRESTO, which was racing to the outside of CRAIG’S DRAGON, was momentarily inconvenienced. Throughout the race, BULLISH GOLD travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of PRIME CHAMPION and TAVERNER after the race did not show any significant findings. TAVERNER, HEARTLINE and ROYAL PERICLES were sent for sampling.