01/05/2011  Shatin  Race 6

SPEECHMAKER and FORTUNE GENERAL bumped at the start. From the outside barrier, WHITE HART KING was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the 1200 Metres, MAN OF THE MATCH proved difficult to settle. Near the 1100 Metres, MING HOI GLORY was steadied away from the heels of THE PRINCE. After the 900 Metres, JOHNSON was steadied away from the heels of GOOD GAINS which got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of MAN OF THE MATCH. Approaching the 800 Metres, MAN OF THE MATCH momentarily raced in restricted room between PERFECT JOY and FORTUNE GENERAL which shifted out after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of URBAN DANCER. At the entrance to the Straight, QUANTUM POWER was severely checked away from the heels of MAN OF THE MATCH when held up for clear running behind that horse and then passing the 250 Metres was steadied away from the heels of FORTUNE GENERAL which shifted out when commencing to give ground. THE PRINCE had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. After the 100 Metres, VILASOL and SPEECHMAKER raced tight when VILASOL was taken out by MING HOI GLORY which got its head on the side and shifted ground under pressure. For the majority of the race, PERFECT JOY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, D Beadman stated that he had been instructed to take up a forward position on MING HOI GLORY. He said THE PRINCE, which was drawn directly to his outside, was ridden along in the early stages to obtain a forward position and as the tempo of the race in the early stages was good, he allowed that horse to cross MING HOI GLORY. He said that after the 1200 Metres he was obliged to ride MING HOI GLORY along to maintain its position inside FORTUNE GENERAL which was racing tight inside MAN OF THE MATCH. He said MING HOI GLORY then travelled well and after being shifted out into clear running near the 300 Metres sprinted well and he felt that the horse was going to finish off the race strongly. He said however that MING HOI GLORY got its head on the side, lay out under pressure and did not finish off the race as strongly as he had anticipated. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of FORTUNE GENERAL, D Whyte stated that his mount over-raced throughout the race and because of this was not able to finish off its race. When questioned, O Doleuze stated that MAN OF THE MATCH, which was wearing blinkers for the first time today, over-raced in the early and middle stages and came under pressure after the 600 Metres. He said MAN OF THE MATCH was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to close off the race. A veterinary inspection of FORTUNE GENERAL and MAN OF THE MATCH after the race did not show any significant findings. MING HOI GLORY, QUANTUM POWER and VILASOL were sent for sampling. <3/5/2011 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that URBAN DANCER was lame in its left front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, URBAN DANCER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.