28/06/2009  Shatin  Race 10

MASTER POWER and IRISH JIG, which were leaning against the outside of their stalls, began awkwardly and lost ground. In the early stages, despite being ridden along, SUNNY POWER failed to muster speed. Approaching the 1000 Metres, RIVER JORDAN was steadied and IRISH JIG and MASTER POWER were crowded for room inside MEDIC POWER which got its head on the side and shifted in away from LUCKY QUALITY as that horse shifted across towards the lead. At the 300 Metres, WILLING STORM was momentarily steadied away from the heels of PRIME SCORE. When questioned, J Lloyd (NIGHTLIGN) said when he had been riding the horse in track work in the lead up to its race, he had been asked to endeavour to have the horse settle in the hope it would close its races off. He said he had been advised by the connections of NIGHTLIGN that they hoped the horse would be able to be competitive in distances of longer than the 1200 Metres of today’s race, however, in order for it to do so, the horse would have to learn to relax in its races. He said from a wide barrier he was asked to ensure NIGHTLIGN was settled in the run and to have it close off. He said in accordance with those instructions on jumping he took hold of NIGHTLIGN and immediately restrained his mount to race at the rear. He said NIGHTLIGN did not relax in the early stages. He said making the turn at the 800 Metres he was carried wider and left racing without cover and he therefore again steadied his mount to a position with cover at the rear of the field. He said on straightening he shifted NIGHTLIGN to the outside of the field and the horse closed the race off strongly. SUNNY POWER was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of SUNNY POWER after the race did not show any significant findings. MEDIC POWER and BRILLIANT CHAPTER were sent for sampling.