10/05/2011  Shatin  Race 11

After being loaded, VICTORY MASCOT became fractious and lunged at the front gates. VICTORY MASCOT then broke through the back gates and backed out of the stalls. VICTORY MASCOT was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, VICTORY MASCOT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. Approaching the 1000 Metres, TAKEANOTHERCHANCE proved very difficult to settle and was steadied away from the heels of SUPREME KNIGHT. Making the turn near the 850 Metres, CLASSIC BOY got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of BEAUTY FOREVER. After this, CLASSIC BOY continued to prove difficult to settle and near the 750 Metres shifted out across the heels of HO WONGCHOY. Near the 50 Metres, VICTORY MASCOT was crowded for room between SUPREME KNIGHT and BEAUTY FOREVER, both of which shifted ground. Throughout the race, NICE FOLKS travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, O Doleuze stated that from the outside barrier he had been instructed to obtain cover on HO WONGCHOY and it was hoped that the horse would be able to obtain a position in about midfield. He said that although HO WONGCHOY began well, having in mind the manner in which he was instructed to ride the horse, he shifted HO WONGCHOY across behind runners in the early stages in an attempt to obtain cover. He said however that as he was doing this, the speed of the race slackened noticeably and he was not able to obtain cover behind CLASSIC BOY which itself was proving difficult to settle. He added as HO WONGCHOY was left racing wide due to the tempo of the race, he allowed the horse to improve its position making the first turn near the 800 Metres, however, HO WONGCHOY was obliged to continue to race wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. When questioned, D Beadman stated that he had been instructed to ride SUPREME KNIGHT more quietly than had previously been the case as the horse was stepping up to the 1600 Metres of today’s race for the first time and it was felt that if the horse were to be ridden in a forward position, it may not able to see out the distance of the race. He said SUPREME KNIGHT was able to obtain a position in about midfield, but travelled keenly in the early and middle stages due to the tempo of the race. He added rounding the Home Turn he attempted to follow the eventual winner, I SMELL MONEY through, however, SUPREME KNIGHT finished off the race only one-paced. A veterinary inspection of SUPREME KNIGHT after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of TAKEANOTHERCHANCE after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, TAKEANOTHERCHANCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. I SMELL MONEY and NEW VISION were sent for sampling.