13/11/2011  Shatin  Race 2

MAN OF THE MATCH knuckled over at the start. CAPITAL CHAMPION was slow to begin. From a wide barrier, BREEZE OF LUCK was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Making the first turn near the 850 Metres, CAPITAL CHAMPION hung out and in doing so bumped POTENTIAL which was taken out onto HOT PEPPER which was crowded for room inside TANG PALACE. After this, CAPITAL CHAMPION proved very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when racing close to the heels of SMART FORTUNE. After the 700 Metres, HOT PEPPER raced in restricted room between TANG PALACE and POTENTIAL which shifted out away from the heels of SMART FORTUNE. KINGS DOMAIN, which was following, was hampered in consequence. Throughout the race, TANG PALACE and SUNSHINE KID travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Y T Cheng (HOT PEPPER) said that he had been instructed to have his mount positioned behind the speed if possible. He said due to the manner in which the race was run, a number of horses maintained their positions to his inside and as such he was not able to shift across in the early stages to obtain a position close to the fence. He said for this reason HOT PEPPER was obliged to race wide in about a midfield position albeit it was able to obtain cover. Mr C H Yip, the trainer of HOT PEPPER, said that he felt the pace of the race in the early stages would be fair and he thought this would present the opportunity for HOT PEPPER to shift in to a position one horse off the fence behind the leaders. He added however that he did not envisage that the race would be run at a slow tempo which resulted in HOT PEPPER having to race wide. Mr Yip was advised that the Stewards would monitor the manner in which HOT PEPPER will be ridden in its future starts. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that POTENTIAL had lost its left front plate. CAPITAL CHAMPION, FIONN’S TREASURE and GLORY HORSIE were sent for sampling.