27/12/2009  Shatin  Race 1

HAPPY SUNDAY blundered on jumping and then shifted in abruptly, resulting in SEIZE THE DAY and JUNGLE TREASURE being severely checked and MAXIMUM CHARM being hampered when crowded for room outside MULTI-WIN SPIRIT. WING MASTER began awkwardly. SCOOT DA LOOT shifted out at the start, resulting in SMART CODE being taken out and causing crowding to DAYLIGHT EXPRESS. After the 400 Metres, HAPPY SUNDAY got its head on the side, hung in and proved difficult to ride. When questioned, J Lloyd (CHAIN WIN) stated that he had been instructed to lead on the horse if able to do so without having to make too much use of the horse, otherwise he should ride it where it was comfortable to ensure that it finished off its race. He said CHAIN WIN, which was leaning on the outside of its stall, was not fast to begin and then received some crowding between TRIUMPHANT ECHO and WING MASTER, both of which shifted ground. He said FIRST DEGREE, which had drawn inside CHAIN WIN, showed superior speed in the early stages and he elected then to allow that horse to cross. He said passing the 800 Metres GLITTERING was travelling better than CHAIN WIN and was able to shift out to occupy a position in front of CHAIN WIN and behind FIRST DEGREE. He said he was not concerned as he felt GLITTERING would be able to take him into the race more so than FIRST DEGREE. He said passing the 400 Metres he considered attempting to improve into tight running to the outside of FIRST DEGREE, however, he observed that horse was commencing to give ground, therefore rather than to pursue that run, he shifted his mount inwards to obtain clear and unimpeded running. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SEIZE THE DAY, D Whyte stated that after being badly interfered with at the start, SEIZE THE DAY, despite being ridden along in the early stages, was unable to make up lost ground. He said that in the run to the line, SEIZE THE DAY made up only moderate ground. He added, in his opinion, due to SEIZE THE DAY’S immaturity, the horse was not able to overcome the interference suffered at the start. A veterinary inspection of SCOOT DA LOOT and SEIZE THE DAY after the race did not show any significant findings. SEIZE THE DAY, GLITTERING and MULTI-WIN SPIRIT were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that FIRST DEGREE was lame in its left front leg and that JUNGLE TREASURE had lost its right hind plate. Before being allowed to race again, FIRST DEGREE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.