22/03/2009  Shatin  Race 6

EIGHT PLUS NINE was slow to begin. FORTUNE HAVEN began awkwardly and bumped the inside gate of its stall. INVINCIBLEKINDNESS began awkwardly, causing D Whyte, its rider, to become unbalanced. In the early stages, FORTUNE SPIRIT and FORTUNE HAVEN were taken back. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, INVINCIBLEKINDNESS, which was proving difficult to settle, was steadied when crowded for room inside PRETTY TOUCH (Y T Cheng) which shifted in when not clear. Y T Cheng was reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. Making the turn after the 800 Metres, THUNDER DANCING hung out. For a considerable distance after the 800 Metres, CHINA WIN was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MANY GAINS. At the 700 Metres, INVINCIBLEKINDNESS, which was continuing to prove difficult to settle, shifted out when being steadied away from the heels of PRETTY TOUCH. When questioned, O Doleuze (GRAND DRAGON) said he rode his mount quietly in the early stages as instructed. He said GRAND DRAGON over-raced in the early and middle stages. He said on straightening he positioned his mount behind INVINCIBLEKINDNESS which he believed would carry him forward and provide him with clear running, however, INVINCIBLEKINDNESS did not quicken as he had anticipated. He said whilst clear running was available to the inside of PRETTY TOUCH, KINGIFLY was commencing to give ground and he therefore remained racing where he was. He said as a consequence GRAND DRAGON was held up and not able to improve until after the 200 Metres. He said when PRETTY TOUCH improved at that time, he followed that horse forward and GRAND DRAGON then closed the race off reasonably. He said when GRAND DRAGON was successful at its previous run over 1000 Metres, the horse relaxed and as a consequence quickened when placed under pressure better than it had today. He added in the past GRAND DRAGON had performed poorly after over-racing. O Doleuze was told his explanation would be reported. GRAND DRAGON and INVINCIBLEKINDNESS were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of GRAND DRAGON and INVINCIBLEKINDNESS after the race did not show any significant findings. BULLISH GOLD and MANY GAINS were sent for sampling.