08/03/2015  Shatin  Race 8

MY LITTLE FRIEND and SIGHT BELIEVER bumped at the start. LOVELY DELOVELY began awkwardly and shortly after the start momentarily raced tight between SUPREME FALCON and YOU READ MY MIND which shifted out after being bumped on the hindquarters by HIGH FIVE which was crowded for room outside DISCIPLES TWELVE. SKY MAN travelled keenly in the early stages and near the 800 Metres became unbalanced after being bumped by HAYMAKER. GOOD LUCK BOY lost its right front plate at the 450 Metres. Passing the 300 Metres, LOVELY DELOVELY was shifted to the outside of YOU READ MY MIND. Over about the final 100 Metres, LOVELY DELOVELY raced in restricted room outside DANE PATROL and consequently was not able to be properly tested. Approaching the 50 Metres, SIGHT BELIEVER and CALIFORNIA BOUNTY bumped. For the majority of the race, HIGH FIVE lay in and proved difficult to ride. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MY LITTLE FRIEND, Z Purton stated that he rode his mount along in the early stages in an endeavour to take up a position closer to the outside rail. He said passing the 800 Metres he was awkwardly placed inside SIGHT BELIEVER which shifted in and for this reason he elected to obtain a trailing position behind that horse. He said after the 700 Metres MY LITTLE FRIEND came under pressure and then, despite being ridden out, did not finish off the race. He added it had been widely reported that MY LITTLE FRIEND had breathing issues and he believed that this condition is worsening which, in his opinion, attributed to the horse’s poor performance. A veterinary inspection of MY LITTLE FRIEND immediately following the race confirmed the horse to be a “roarer” which had previously been reported. A veterinary inspection of SKY MAN and GOOD LUCK BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MY LITTLE FRIEND, DISCIPLES TWELVE and DANE PATROL were sent for sampling.