06/03/2011  Shatin  Race 5

WHITE HART KING and MAN OF THE MATCH were slow to begin. In the early stages, SUPER VAN raced greenly. After the 400 Metres, SMART KIDS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MAN OF THE MATCH when being shifted to the outside of that horse. Over the final 100 Metres, WHITE HART KING was checked when unable to secure clear running between SUPREME KNIGHT and CHARMGOLD where there was insufficient room. In this incident, WHITE HART KING made contact with CHARMGOLD, resulting in that horse becoming unbalanced on a number of occasions and in turn shifted out, bumping ISTIDE which also became unbalanced. Because of this, WHITE HART KING was not tested over the final 100 Metres. Passing the 100 Metres, MASTER KEY was steadied and shifted to the inside of the heels of WIN A DOZEN when that horse shifted out slightly. Throughout the race, FULL HOUSE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, O Doleuze was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of MAN OF THE MATCH. He said MAN OF THE MATCH travelled well in a good position throughout the race and after being shifted out in the early part of the Straight did not quicken as he thought it would. He said MAN OF THE MATCH was then disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding as it had done at its most recent start. A veterinary inspection of MAN OF THE MATCH after the race did not show any significant findings. MAN OF THE MATCH, WIN A DOZEN and SUPREME KNIGHT were sent for sampling.