04/07/2010  Shatin  Race 10

ABLE GREY was withdrawn on 3.7.10 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, ABLE GREY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. NORMAN INVADER and EL MORRO bumped at the start. SHINING VICTORY shifted out at the start and bumped ELITE OF CHIU TON. HOLEY DOLLAR and MULTIGLORY made contact at the start. Near the 800 Metres, SHINING VICTORY was steadied when crowded for room between ELITE OF CHIU TON and NIGHTLIGN which shifted out. Passing the 400 Metres, HOLEY DOLLAR and EL MORRO bumped due to FRIENDLY GAINS shifting in. Passing the 100 Metres, SHINING VICTORY, which was closing off the race strongly, was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of BUNDLE O’ GOLD which at this time was giving ground. When questioned regarding the improved performance of the winner, BLAZE KING, Trainer D J Hall stated that this was the 4th occasion on which BLAZE KING had started for his stable over the course and distance. He said in its three prior runs over the Sha Tin 1000 Metres, the horse had been successful on one occasion and in its two unplaced runs there were genuine excuses in that it was found to have a significant amount of mucopus in its trachea on one occasion whilst in the other race, BLAZE KING had not been able to obtain clear running until the concluding stages. He said notwithstanding this, he had been disappointed with a number of BLAZE KING’s runs this season away from today’s course and distance. He said prior to its last start he trialed BLAZE KING in blinkers and the horse performed well in a trial which contained a number of highly rated horses. He said although the horse appeared to him to benefit from the application of the blinkers, he did not apply them to BLAZE KING at its most recent start as that race was run over 1200 Metres and he felt that as BLAZE KING is better suited over 1000 Metres, the horse may over-race with the blinkers on. He said whilst he did expect an improved performance from BLAZE KING due to it returning to its favoured track and distance and following the application of the blinkers, he did not anticipate that it would perform as well as it did today. MULTIGLORY, BLAZE KING and NO MORE GREEN were sent for sampling.