28/02/2010  Shatin  Race 9

From a gate towards the outside, OPEN SESAME was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. When being taken across behind runners from the outside barrier shortly after the start, TOPPING LIGHT got its head up on a number of occasions and proved difficult to settle. Near the 1300 Metres, SUPER GENKI was steadied when crowded for room between SOLAR ENERGY and GOOD PARTNER which, after initially getting its head on the side and shifting in away from KING OF SCOTS, was taken in slightly by that horse. No further action was taken. Near the 700 Metres, BRAVE HEART became unbalanced and shifted in when being checked away from the heels of KING OF SCOTS. In the early part of the Straight, BRAVE HEART was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ENRICHED when initially reluctant to shift to the outside of that horse. Near the 300 Metres, SOLAR ENERGY broke down. When it did so, it shifted out, resulting in TOPPING LIGHT being hampered. Near the 200 Metres, CHEERFUL CITY, which was attempting to obtain clear running to the inside of SUPER PLUS, was steadied away from the heels of that horse which shifted in. Near the 50 Metres, CHEERFUL CITY was again steadied away from the heels of SUPER PLUS and shifted out due to SUPER PLUS shifting out slightly. In the Straight, TOPPING LIGHT got its head on the side and hung in under pressure. Throughout the race, CLASSIC REUNION travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Trainer C Fownes stated that from the wide draw he had instructed O Doleuze, the rider of TOPPING LIGHT, to ride it quietly as the horse was having its first start over 1400 Metres today. He said he was disappointed with TOPPING LIGHT’s most recent start when it was ridden behind the leaders from the inside gate and therefore he felt that it was in the best interests of the horse, having in mind that it was attempting 1400 Metres for the first time, to have it ridden quietly in the hope that it would be able to finish off the race. He said he was happy with the manner in which TOPPING LIGHT finished off the race today and therefore depending on the speed of any further race, were the horse to be drawn wide, he would again consider adopting similar tactics. ENRICHED and BRAVE HEART were sent for sampling.