04/12/2010  Shatin  Race 4

When parading behind the barriers, the bridle fitted to HAWTHORNE became dislodged and was subsequently refitted. LUCKY BOY blundered at the start. SPECTACULAR AWARD and HAWTHORNE were slow to begin. Making the first turn, THUNDER DANCING was steadied when tightened for room inside LUCKY BOY which at this time got its head on the side and shifted in away from WELL DONE. Making the first turn near the 700 Metres, SPECTACULAR AWARD and LUCKY TYCOON were crowded for room inside GREAT HERO which, after initially being taken in by BE GRATEFUL which shifted in slightly, then shifted in away from that horse of its own accord. When BE GRATEFUL was corrected by its rider, that horse shifted out, resulting in FUN and GRAND STORE being bumped and taken wider and MING HOI GLORY, which was following GRAND STORE, being hampered. Rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, LUCKY TYCOON was held up for clear running behind WELL DONE which was giving ground. Over the final 100 Metres, THUNDER DANCING had difficulty obtaining clear running and because of this was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MING HOI GLORY, D Beadman stated that with FUN drawn to his inside and with GRAND STORE to his outside, it was anticipated that he would be able to allow those horses to lead and obtain a forward position behind them. He said however that despite being vigorously ridden along to his inside, FUN was not able to obtain a position near the lead as he had anticipated and when GRAND STORE was also not able to take up as forward a position as expected, MING HOI GLORY was left racing wide and without cover. He said for this reason passing the 1000 Metres he commenced to steady MING HOI GLORY to obtain a position with cover. He said he elected to obtain cover at this time as he did not believe it was reasonable to ride MING HOI GLORY along in an attempt to clear FUN to his inside. He said when he shifted MING HOI GLORY behind FUN, the horse became awkwardly placed close to the heels of FUN for some distance prior to and after the 600 Metres. He said when racing behind runners, MING HOI GLORY resented the kickback and for this reason he shifted the horse to the outside of runners as soon as he was able rounding the Home Turn. He said the manner in which the race was run and the fact that, in his opinion, MING HOI GLORY resented the kickback meant that the horse was not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of FUN, which finished tailed out, after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse`s trachea. The performance of FUN was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FUN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MING HOI GLORY after the race did not show any significant findings. MING HOI GLORY, SPECTACULAR AWARD and LUCKY TYCOON were sent for sampling.