07/11/2009  Shatin  Race 5

FUN RIDER was slow to begin. WAIT FOR ME shifted in at the start and bumped SUPER BOBO. Shortly after the start, SUPER ran to the outside fence and then took no part in the race. Trainer C W Chang advised the Stewards that he had consulted with the owners and it had been decided that SUPER will now be retired. Near the 1400 Metres, FOREST FOUNTAIN, which was reluctant to hold its position, was checked when racing tight to the inside of ZEPHYRUS which itself raced tight inside LIVERBIRD. In the early stages, when caught wide, PACIFIC ALLIANCE proved difficult to settle and pulled its way forward to be racing in a prominent position. Passing the 1100 Metres, ZEPHYRUS was checked away from the heels of AMITYSHIP. After the 800 Metres, MY WAY was left racing wide and without cover. In the Straight, FUN RIDER hung out and shifted towards the outside fence. For some distance in the Straight, RECORD HIGH hung in. J Lloyd (FOREST FOUNTAIN) stated that from barrier 1 he had been instructed to attempt to come to the outside in the Straight as FOREST FOUNTAIN is a better horse when being able to close its races off outside runners. He said from barrier 1 he was not able to shift out as instructed due primarily to the horse hanging in. He said that approaching the 200 Metres he considered improving between ZEPHYRUS, which was racing on the fence, and PACIFIC ALLIANCE, which was racing in a three wide position in advance of FOREST FOUNTAIN, however, he observed that PACIFIC ALLIANCE was tiring badly, therefore he elected to shift to the outside of that horse rather than improve between ZEPHYRUS and PACIFIC ALLIANCE as he felt PACIFIC ALLIANCE may shift in when weakening. He stated FOREST FOUNTAIN continued to hang in in the Straight and proved very difficult to ride and passing the 200 Metres got its head up and became unbalanced when momentarily crowded for room between PACIFIC ALLIANCE and SUPER BOBO which shifted in. Apprentice T H So (LUCKY MONEY) advised that he had been instructed to lead on the horse, however, LUCKY MONEY was slow to begin. He added that he rode along in an endeavour to obtain a forward position, however, a number of runners shifted ground around him which required LUCKY MONEY to be ridden further back than had been intended. When questioned, O Doleuze said that he had been instructed to ride WONDERFUL GAINS, which was racing over the 1600 Metres for the first time today, in a midfield position or worse to assist the horse in seeing out the distance. He said WONDERFUL GAINS travelled well throughout the early and middle stages but when placed under pressure did not respond to his riding. A veterinary inspection of MY WAY and SUPER after the race did not show any significant findings. MY GOAL and AMITYSHIP were sent for sampling.