09/01/2011  Shatin  Race 1

FIERCE FORCE, WINNING MASCOT and INTELLIGENT RAIN were slow to begin. GIFT IS GIFT was crowded for room at the start between HAPPY FOREVER and SPICY SHRIMP which shifted in. From a wide barrier, KING ON EARTH was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the 850 Metres, INTELLIGENT RAIN got its head up when being checked away from the heels of LUCKY CHEVALIER. Rounding the Home Turn, WINNING MASCOT became unbalanced when bumped by HAPPY FOREVER which shifted out. In the early part of the Straight, LUCKY CHEVALIER had difficulty obtaining clear running. Passing the 200 Metres, SPICY SHRIMP, which was commencing to give ground, was bumped by LUCKY CHEVALIER (J Lloyd) which shifted out. J Lloyd was advised to exercise more care. Close to the finishing line, LUCKY CHEVALIER and SUPREME KNIGHT bumped. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SPICY SHRIMP, Apprentice C Y Ho said that he had been instructed to obtain cover on the horse if circumstances permitted. He said after riding SPICY SHRIMP along to clear runners to his inside, he was not able to obtain cover on the horse and consequently raced in the lead outside of I SMELL MONEY. He said as the tempo of the race was only fair, he elected to remain racing to the outside of I SMELL MONEY rather than ride SPICY SHRIMP along to clear that horse. He said after placing SPICY SHRIMP under pressure shortly after entering the Straight, the horse was disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding. A veterinary inspection of SPICY SHRIMP after the race did not show any significant findings. GIFT IS GIFT and I SMELL MONEY were sent for sampling.