21/03/2010  Shatin  Race 3

Whilst in the saddling stalls, the left hind plate fitted to GRAND STORE was refitted. HORSE GALORE was slow to begin. Approaching the 800 Metres, HO HO LIFE shifted out and was steadied away from the heels of CHINA GOOD which itself was shifting in to obtain cover behind ROYAL DOCTOR. SUPERIOR UNIT, which was following, was steadied in consequence. Passing the 700 Metres, GRAND STORE proved difficult to settle and shifted out away from the heels of ENTRAPMENT. This resulted in ROYAL DOCTOR, which was racing to the outside of GRAND STORE, being taken into a position four wide and without cover. Near the 650 Metres, KA KA’S PROSPERITY was steadied away from the heels of POT OF GOLD which at this time got its head on the side and was awkwardly placed inside ENTRAPMENT. Rounding the Home Turn, HURRICANE DASH was steadied away from the heels of HO HO LIFE. Near the 200 Metres, POT OF GOLD was steadied when awkwardly placed close to the heels of WEI HAI INVINCIBLE. Approaching the 150 Metres, SUPERIOR UNIT and QUELLE SURPRISE were hampered by SUPER FORTUNE which shifted out. Passing the 100 Metres, ENTRAPMENT got its head on the side and shifted out, then over the concluding stages shifted out abruptly, resulting in ROYAL DOCTOR having to be checked away from the heels of ENTRAPMENT. Mr J Size, the trainer of ENTRAPMENT, was advised that a warning would be placed on ENTRAPMENT in respect of its racing manners. When questioned, B Doyle stated that he had been instructed to obtain cover on SUPERIOR UNIT. He said after SUPERIOR UNIT began well, he was obliged to allow his mount to drift back in the field to obtain cover as a number of horses underneath him maintained their positions. He said this resulted in SUPERIOR UNIT racing in a position behind midfield. Mr D J Hall, the trainer of SUPERIOR UNIT, stated that he had been somewhat disappointed with the manner in which the horse had finished off its previous starts when ridden in a forward position. He said as he believed there were a number of horses which raced in forward positions drawn to its inside in this race, he confirmed that he advised Jockey Doyle to obtain cover on SUPERIOR UNIT rather than be caught racing wide and without cover. He said however he was surprised that SUPERIOR UNIT had raced as far back in the field as it did today. ENTRAPMENT and ROYAL DOCTOR were sent for sampling.