21/01/2012  Shatin  Race 10

Whilst in the saddling stalls, VICTORY MASTER lost its left front plate. This plate was refitted. VICTORY MASTER was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. TRAVEL BRAND was slow to begin. VICTORY MASTER and FOREVER ELATION were crowded for room at the start between BULLISH KING and GIFT IS GIFT which was taken out by DOUBLE DRAGON. FLEET COMMAND and LEGEND EXPRESS were hampered when crowded for room at the start between ADORATION and BERIO which was taken in by NEW GLORY which, when being steadied by its rider, got its head up, raced ungenerously and shifted in abruptly. After the 1000 Metres, NEW GLORY proved very difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BERIO for some distance. GIFT IS GIFT, which was following NEW GLORY, was inconvenienced in consequence. For the major part of the race, EASY WINNER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that he had been instructed to lead on BULLISH KING and not to restrain his mount. He said in the early stages he allowed BULLISH KING to use its natural speed to take up a forward position. He said BULLISH KING took some time to cross DOUBLE DRAGON, however, at no stage in the early stages did he ride his mount along. He said in accordance with his instructions he did not restrain BULLISH KING in the middle stages rather he allowed the horse to continue to run at its own pace. He added whilst he was aware that BULLISH KING had established somewhat a margin over the remainder of the field and was travelling at a faster tempo than he would have liked, as he was instructed not to restrain BULLISH KING, he allowed the horse to continue on. Trainer A S Cruz confirmed the instructions given to M Chadwick on BULLISH KING. He said, in his opinion, BULLISH KING had been fired up somewhat by DOUBLE DRAGON racing to its inside and given the manner in which BULLISH KING travelled today, it was his intention to drop the horse back in distance if possible. When questioned, D Beadman stated that he had ridden VICTORY MASTER in a barrier trial in the lead up to today’s race and, in his opinion, this trial had only been fair. He said he had hoped to obtain a midfield position on VICTORY MASTER, however, after being heavily bumped when crowded for room at the start, VICTORY MASTER was obliged to race further back in the field than had been hoped. He said VICTORY MASTER did not travel comfortably during the race given the quick tempo. He added that when the field quickened rounding the Home Turn VICTORY MASTER was left flat-footed and after this finished off the race only one-paced. He said VICTORY MASTER, which was resuming today, would benefit from today’s race. A veterinary inspection of VICTORY MASTER after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of NEW GLORY after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. REAL SUPREME and ADORATION were sent for sampling.