05/06/2011  Shatin  Race 9

CALIFORNIA MOON was difficult to load. Before being allowed to race again, CALIFORNIA MOON will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. SUPREME WIN was slow to begin. From wide barriers, AFFLUENCE OF RAIN and ST DIDAR were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Near the 1000 Metres, MY NAME IS BOND got its head up and proved difficult to settle when racing close to the heels of GENE POWER. Approaching the 250 Metres, SILVER GRECIAN was severely checked when disappointed for running between GENE POWER and NIGHTLIGN which shifted out and away from ABLE SPEED. As the Stewards were of the opinion that SILVER GRECIAN had not properly established running between NIGHTLIGN and GENE POWER at this time, no further action was taken. Over the concluding stages, SILVER GRECIAN was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPREME WIN. Because of this, SILVER GRECIAN was not fully tested over the concluding stages. Throughout the race, NIGHTLIGN travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MANDARIN, D Whyte stated that MANDARIN was able to obtain a “soft” lead and he anticipated that given the manner in which MANDARIN travelled throughout the race that the horse would show a similar turn of foot as it did when it was successful at its most recent start. He said however that shortly after entering the Straight PROLIFIC CHAMPION and PRETTY ONE improved their positions to the outside of MANDARIN and the horse, whilst not giving ground abruptly, did not quicken as it did last start and then finished off the race only one-paced. Mr J Size, the trainer of MANDARIN, said that the horse had pleased him since its most recent success which was on 1 May 2011. He said because of the time between races, he elected to barrier trial the horse on 24 May 2011 and this barrier trial, in his opinion, was good. He did say that MANDARIN had performed similarly in the past in that it did not quicken when challenged by other runners when unable to establish a break shortly after straightening. A veterinary inspection of MANDARIN and ST DIDAR after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of AFFLUENCE OF RAIN after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. MANDARIN, ABLE SPEED and PRETTY ONE were sent for sampling.