27/06/2010  Shatin  Race 7

Prior to the running of Race 5, EASYGOING was withdrawn by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (fever). Before being allowed to race again, EASYGOING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SPARKLING FEELING (M Du Plessis), which was leaning on the outside of its barrier, began very awkwardly, got its head up on a number of occasions and consequently lost ground. M Du Plessis reported that when SPARKLING FEELING got its head up, it struck him in the face. LUCKY SELECTION was slow to begin. At the 1000 Metres, GENERAL DANROAD was crowded for room between FAIRY DRAGON which shifted out and TELECOM SUPER STAR which shifted in and away from PLANET. Approaching the 600 Metres, JIMSON THE BEST was steadied after improving between TELECOM SUPER STAR and HIGH LUCK where there was insufficient room. A short distance later, JIMSON THE BEST was shifted out, resulting in SUPREME YEARS being taken wider, causing NICE KING to be steadied and shift to the inside of SUPREME YEARS when racing in restricted room to the inside of WIN WIN FELLOWSHIP. Near the 100 Metres, NICE KING shifted out and was steadied away from the heels of HIGH LUCK. Over the concluding stages, NICE KING got its head up and became unbalanced in its action. Throughout the race, PLANET travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the improved performance of SPARKLING FEELING, Trainer C Fownes stated that the horse had been most disappointing in all of its starts in Hong Kong. He said following the horse’s most recent start, SPARKLING FEELING was required to barrier trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards after hanging out badly in the race. He said after being obliged to trial SPARKLING FEELING on two occasions, he added the blinkers to the horse’s gear in an endeavour to have it improve its performance. He said the only reason he could provide for the horse’s improved performance today was that it appeared to appreciate the “Yielding to Soft” track conditions. He added SPARKLING FEELING’s form improvement today was not anticipated by the stable. A veterinary inspection of SUPREME YEARS after the race did not show any significant findings. HIGH LUCK, SPARKLING FEELING and JIMSON THE BEST were sent for sampling.