25/04/2010  Shatin  Race 5

HAPPY PRESTIGE began awkwardly. BLAZE KING and HEARTLINE bumped at the start. OUTTALIMITZ began awkwardly and shifted out at the start, hampering DEFERENTIAL. Near the 700 Metres, HEARTLINE was severely checked away from the heels of BLAZE KING and in doing so shifted out and made heavy contact with ENTRAPMENT which became unbalanced. SUPREME WIN hung out rounding the Home Turn. In the Straight, OUTTALIMITZ raced very greenly and shifted ground on a number of occasions. The racing manners of OUTTALIMITZ was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, OUTTALIMITZ will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial around a bend. Throughout the race, ROYAL FLUSH travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of LUMINOUS, J Lloyd stated that it was anticipated that back to 1200 Metres today, the horse would not show sufficient speed to be in a handy position. He said although LUMINOUS began well, the horse was not able to maintain the tempo in the early stages. He said approaching the 1000 Metres he was obliged to steady away from the heels of HOLEY DOLLAR, resulting in LUMINOUS losing some ground. He said then rounding the turn near the 850 Metres LUMINOUS shifted out and was steadied away from the heels of WATCH WHAT HAPPENS which itself was shifting in slightly. A veterinary inspection of LUMINOUS after the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, D Beadman stated that whilst he was not given any firm instructions on how to ride HOLEY DOLLAR today, due to the manner in which the horse settled well at its most recent start when ridden behind the speed and the horse subsequently being able to finish off that race, it was felt that HOLEY DOLLAR would benefit from not being ridden in a forward position. He said HOLEY DOLLAR began well, he immediately shifted in behind ROYAL FLUSH and obtained a position behind that horse. He said when ROYAL FLUSH was racing three wide passing the 1000 Metres, he formed the opinion that that horse may press forward which would have left HOLEY DOLLAR racing without cover. He said for this reason rather than remain racing on the back of ROYAL FLUSH, he elected to steady HOLEY DOLLAR and allow ENTRAPMENT to shift in to ensure that HOLEY DOLLAR was able to maintain cover. ENTRAPMENT and SUPREME WIN were sent for sampling.