03/05/2009  Shatin  Race 10

On jumping, NORTH HILL got its head up when being steadied, was then taken across to the rail and in the early stages proved difficult to settle. Also on jumping, ISTIDE blundered, almost fell and as a consequence lost ground. Shortly after the start, GREAT SUPREME and BIG WINNER AGAIN bumped. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, ROCKET POWER was steadied to avoid the heels of KAISER'S CHOIX which was steadied away from the heels of GOOD PARTNER which was checked away from the heels of BIG WINNER AGAIN which steadied to allow PACKING SUPREME to cross. Near the 700 Metres, FOREVER ELATION was checked severely to avoid the heels of NORTH HILL which was continuing to prove difficult to settle and got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of AMAZING VENTURE. On straightening, AMAZING VENTURE, which was shifting out to obtain clear running, was steadied away from the heels of GOOD PARTNER. KAISER'S CHOIX, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of AMAZING VENTURE. From on straightening until the 300 Metres, ROCKET POWER was held up and unable to improve. For a considerable distance after straightening, AMAZING VENTURE had difficulty obtaining clear running. Near the 100 Metres, GREAT SUPREME, which was giving ground, was steadied when momentarily tightened for room inside NORTH HILL which was closing the race off strongly and at this time was steadied and shifted in away from the heels of PACKING SUPREME to continue going forward. When questioned, H W Lai (FOREVER ELATION) said he had been instructed to ride his mount in a rearward position from the outside barrier. He said in accordance with those instructions, in the early stages he took FOREVER ELATION back. He said when it was apparent FOREVER ELATION was going to be left racing wide on the track near the 1200 Metres, he steadied his mount back and shifted across to race on the rail at the rear. He said FOREVER ELATION travelled strongly in the run, met with interference at the 700 Metres, then in the Home Straight when closing the race off strongly was steadied away from the heels of NORTH HILL near the 200 Metres. He said after this FOREVER ELATION continued to make ground in the run to the line. He said had FOREVER ELATION drawn more favourably, he believed the intention would have been to have the horse ridden in about 5th or 6th position. H W Lai was told his explanation would be reported. When questioned regarding the poor performance of GOOD PARTNER, Apprentice K C Leung said because his mount over-raced and would not relax in the run, it failed to finish the race off in the Home Straight. GOOD PARTNER and KAISER'S CHOIX were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of GOOD PARTNER and KAISER'S CHOIX after the race did not show any significant findings. BIG PROFIT and ROCKET POWER were sent for sampling.