26/04/2009  Shatin  Race 4

BERNINI bounded in the air at the start and lost ground. LUCKY BO BO began awkwardly and bumped the inside gate of its stall, causing C Soumillon, its rider, to become unbalanced. As a consequence, LUCKY BO BO lost ground. After the 300 Metres, Apprentice K C Leung (KEEP ME) dropped his whip. The performance of HAPPY PROGRESSION, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY PROGRESSION will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the improved performance of MOONGLOW, Trainer K L Man explained after the horse was successful on 1 February 2009, it appeared to be "flat". He said he was not able to offer an explanation for the poor performance of MOONGLOW at its most recent start on 15 March 2009. He said in his opinion MOONGLOW was suited by today's track conditions. He said the win of MOONGLOW was not anticipated by the stable. When questioned, Apprentice M Chadwick (ALL TIME HIGH) explained the intention had been to have the horse ridden in the first three or four if possible. He said despite being urged to go forward in the early stages, ALL TIME HIGH after beginning well was not able to maintain its forward position. He said after the 1000 Metres when racing wide on the track, he considered shifting across, however, after looking to his inside, he established that SABINA was racing inside his heels. He said making the turn at the 800 Metres he endeavoured to have ALL TIME HIGH go forward and clear SABINA, however, ALL TIME HIGH did not respond. He said as a consequence ALL TIME HIGH travelled wide and without cover in the middle stages. He said in the early part of the Straight ALL TIME HIGH responded fairly to his riding, then kept on one-paced until after the 200 Metres when it commenced to give ground. He said the manner in which ALL TIME HIGH travelled today suggested to him that the horse was not comfortable in today's track conditions. He added the horse's performance was also partly due to it being required to cover ground in the run. ALL TIME HIGH was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of ALL TIME HIGH after the race did not show any significant findings. AMBITIOUS OWNER, MOONGLOW and TRAVEL GUIDE were sent for sampling.