06/06/2010  Shatin  Race 3

RAIN OF THUNDER began awkwardly. Near the 800 Metres, REDOUTE’S FORTUNE was steadied away from the heels of TOM’S EIGHTH which shifted in when barely clear. After this, REDOUTE’S FORTUNE was awkwardly placed between CLASSIC ENERGY and TOM’S EIGHTH and was held up for clear running behind those horses until rounding the Home Turn. Then in the early part of the Straight, REDOUTE’S FORTUNE was held up for a short distance. REDOUTE’S FORTUNE was again held up for clear running near the 250 Metres. Passing the 600 Metres, TOM’S EIGHTH shifted out to improve around AMAZING CHOICE and in doing so bumped SPARKLING which in turn bumped DIVINE KID, resulting in those horses becoming unbalanced. Approaching the 200 Metres, SPARKLING shifted out and made contact with the hindquarters of DIVINE KID which itself shifted in slightly. This resulted in both SPARKLING and DIVINE KID becoming badly unbalanced. When questioned, J Lloyd stated that due to the anticipated lack of speed in the race, he had been instructed to go forward on RAIN OF THUNDER from a wide barrier and hopefully obtain a position behind the leaders. He said due to the circumstances of the race in the early stages, RAIN OF THUNDER was kept wide and was not able to obtain a position with cover at any stage. He said in the Straight RAIN OF THUNDER gave ground noticeably. A veterinary inspection of RAIN OF THUNDER after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of RAIN OF THUNDER, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, RAIN OF THUNDER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GOLDMEN Y Y and HO WONGCHOY were sent for sampling.