30/05/2010  Shatin  Race 5

GALLANT MASTER was slow to begin. INDUSTRIAL HERO and LHOJONG bumped at the start. Near the 1800 Metres, FANTASTIC DANCER was momentarily crowded for room inside EASTERN EMPIRE which shifted in when being crossed by INDUSTRIAL HERO. When caught wide and without cover in the early stages, ANTIPASTO was allowed to stride forward near the 1600 Metres into the lead. After being crossed by ANTIPASTO passing the 1200 Metres, INDUSTRIAL HERO proved difficult to settle. Passing the 400 Metres, EASTERN EMPIRE and GREAT BAUHINIA brushed as EASTERN EMPIRE was shifted to the outside of INDUSTRIAL HERO into clear running. When questioned, D Whyte said that in the early part of the race he obtained a position one horse off the fence behind THE ONLY KID. He said approaching the 1600 Metres he felt the tempo of the race was commencing to slacken and anticipated that this would continue to be the case in the middle stages of the race. He said as GLORY OF INDIA was carrying 132 lbs today and due to the “Yielding” track conditions, he felt that it was in the best interests of the horse not to be caught behind runners in a slowly run race which would have resulted in it breaking its stride. He said he also felt that it was in GLORY OF INDIA`s best interests to be outside of runners and although GLORY OF INDIA was caught three wide and without cover for the majority of the race, the horse was relaxed and travelled comfortably. He added that approaching the 600 Metres GLORY OF INDIA obtained cover behind GREAT BAUHINIA when THE ONLY KID was not able to maintain its position. A veterinary inspection of FIRST BEAT after the race revealed that the horse had bled from both nostrils and had sustained a cut to its right hock. FANTASTIC DANCER and GLORY OF INDIA were sent for sampling.