16/05/2010  Shatin  Race 10

MAJESTIC HEART began awkwardly, shifted out and lost a considerable amount of ground. The Stewards will interview Trainer C Fownes, who was not present at today’s racemeeting, prior to making the decision as to the appropriate embargo to be placed on the horse. MAJESTIC HEART had previously been barred on a number of occasions due to the manner in which it was starting its races. In the meantime, MAJESTIC HEART will not be permitted to be entered in races. RIVER CAPTAIN was slow to begin, then shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of RIBOT LEGEND which became unbalanced. Approaching the 600 Metres, TREMENDOUS ADD was steadied and lost its position when racing tight between NAPA II and SOARING DRAGON which shifted in slightly. RIVER CAPTAIN had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. From the entrance to the Straight until passing the 300 Metres, RIBOT LEGEND was held up behind OPEN SESAME and to the inside of SUISSE D’OR. BEJEWELED was badly held up for clear running and unable to be fully tested at any stage in the Straight. Over the final 50 Metres, MAJESTIC HEART was checked when disappointed for running between SOARING DRAGON and RIVER CAPTAIN. Throughout the race, both SOARING DRAGON and ARION OF CHIU TON travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, M W Leung (SILVER SUN) said he had been instructed to lead on the horse. He said he rode his mount along in the early stages and it appeared to him that SUISSE D’OR, which was racing inside SILVER SUN, was also being ridden to obtain a forward position. He said the tempo of the race in the early stages was solid, he attempted to remain racing outside SUISSE D’OR in the hope that that horse would shift across to the fence which would allow SILVER SUN to race on that horse’s outside in a two wide position. He added however that OPEN SESAME improved its position to be racing inside of SUISSE D’OR which resulted in SILVER SUN being obliged to race in a three wide position. He said as the tempo of the race was, in his opinion, good during the early and middle stages, he was left with no alternative but to remain racing wide and without cover as were he to ride the horse along to lead, it would then be unable to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of ARION OF CHIU TON and OPEN SESAME after the race did not show any significant findings. SOARING DRAGON, TREMENDOUS ADD and NAPA II were sent for sampling.