01/07/2009  Shatin  Race 10

On jumping, TOY STORY lost ground after being bumped by GLORY OF INDIA which shifted in. After this, TOY STORY was taken back behind runners. At the start, MAJESTIC HEART, which had begun awkwardly, lost further ground when bumped by KINGSGATE GLORY which began awkwardly and shifted out abruptly. Approaching the 1200 Metres, CASH MONEY was steadied away from the heels of BEAUTIFUL CHOICE. At the 1100 Metres, BEAUTIFUL CHOICE became unbalanced when being steadied away from the heels of JOHNSON. Near the 300 Metres, VAUGIRARD, which was having some difficulty obtaining clear running, was steadied and shifted to the outside of FIRST BEAT to go forward. After this, VAUGIRARD hung in and proved difficult to ride. Near the 100 Metres, MAJESTIC HEART was inconvenienced by THE ONLY KID which shifted in. After the 50 Metres, GLORY OF INDIA was steadied away from the heels of MAJESTIC HEART. In the Straight, NILOMETER and THE ONLY KID hung in. Throughout the race, NILOMETER travelled wide and without cover. D Whyte (GLORY OF INDIA) reported prior to entering the Home Straight his saddle shifted back which caused the martingale fitted to the horse to be pulled tight which meant he was not able to ride his mount out as he normally would because he had difficulty using the reins which run through the martingale in the normal manner. He said he continued to ride GLORY OF INDIA out as best as he was able until about 30 Metres from the finish when he steadied his mount away from MAJESTIC HEART which drifted out. He said after this he endeavoured to shift GLORY OF INDIA to the inside of MAJESTIC HEART, but was then unable to continue riding his mount out to the end of the race due to the difficulty he was experiencing. D Whyte was told his explanation would be reported. When questioned, D Beadman (FIRST BEAT) said he was instructed to allow the horse which was resuming today following a bleeding attack to find its feet in the early stages, ensure it was properly balanced and have it close the race off. He said FIRST BEAT began satisfactorily, he rode it quietly in the early stages in accordance with his instructions and allowed it to gradually improve into a position slightly behind midfield. He said FIRST BEAT travelled well in the run and he obtained a position following GLORY OF INDIA which was favourite in the race. He said after the 800 Metres he came back slightly from behind GLORY OF INDIA to allow him the option of shifting to the outside. He said near the 600 Metres he steadied FIRST BEAT away from the heels of MAJESTIC HEART which shifted in momentarily. He said making the Home Turn he allowed FIRST BEAT to improve onto the back of GLORY OF INDIA and MAJESTIC HEART as he believed those horses would carry him forward in the Straight. He said when he did this THE ONLY KID, the eventual winner of the race, improved around his outside and as a consequence he was held up and not able to improve in the early part of the Straight. He said as he endeavoured to shift FIRST BEAT out to obtain clear running, the horse commenced to hang in. He said he changed the whip into his right hand and as he did this he endeavoured to straighten FIRST BEAT at which time the bit pulled through the horse’s mouth. He said because of this he was placed at a disadvantage in riding his mount out. He said FIRST BEAT continued to hang in and initially when in clear running did not respond as he had hoped, however, over the final 200 Metres closed the race off strongly. D Beadman was told his explanation would be reported. CASH MONEY, JOHNSON and KINGSGATE GLORY were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of CASH MONEY, JOHNSON and KINGSGATE GLORY after the race did not show any significant findings. GLORY OF INDIA, THE ONLY KID and MAJESTIC HEART were sent for sampling.