01/10/2009  Shatin  Race 3

FORTUNE DRAGON was slow to begin. At the start, NEW KID IN TOWN began awkwardly and was then crowded for room between HEALTHY BLUEBERRY and SUPER which shifted out. A short distance later, NEW KID IN TOWN was steadied away from the heels of HEALTHY BLUEBERRY which shifted in slightly. Rounding the Home Turn, SUPER hung out. SUPER was then allowed to shift to the outside fence. At the 200 Metres, LIVERBIRD was briefly steadied away from the heels of WAIT FOR ME which shifted in when barely clear. The performance of NEW KID IN TOWN, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, NEW KID IN TOWN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Throughout the race, MAGNANIMOUS travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, W Pike (LUCKY MONEY) stated that he had been instructed to attempt to lead on the horse, however, if the pace was strong, to take a position behind the lead. He said he rode his mount along out of the barriers to take up a forward position, but it soon became apparent to him that he would be unable to cross HEALTHY BLUEBERRY to his inside, therefore he elected to race to that horse’s outside in the early stages and allowed BRAVE SPIRIT to cross into the lead. He said approaching the 1200 Metres when NEW KID IN TOWN commenced to shift in, he felt he would have had to make too much use of LUCKY MONEY to hold his position at that stage, therefore he elected to steady slightly and allowed NEW KID IN TOWN to cross in front of LUCKY MONEY. BRAVE SPIRIT and HEALTHY BLUEBERRY were sent for sampling.