26/02/2012  Shatin  Race 2

MOON CHASER and MARK GOOD bumped at the start. After this, MOON CHASER was taken across behind runners. AMAZING SUPERNOVA was slow to begin. Near the 1100 Metres, IRON HAWK got its head up on a number of occasions when proving difficult to settle as its rider attempted to shift IRON HAWK in behind GOOD THINKER. After shifting in to a position behind GOOD THINKER, IRON HAWK commenced to over-race and continued to get its head up on a number of occasions and near the 900 Metres shifted in when proving difficult to restrain, resulting in AMAZING SUPERNOVA being momentarily crowded for room. PANTHER RUN, which was following IRON HAWK, was shifted away from the heels of that horse in consequence, resulting in KINGSTON SPARTACUS being taken wider. TOP DRAGON, which was following PANTHER RUN, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Near the 100 Metres, REAL DRAGON was steadied after being crowded for room between DARS AUTO and TOP DRAGON (W M Lai) which, when obtaining tight running to the inside of SUPER TEAM (M L Yeung), was then taken in by that horse. W M Lai was advised to ensure that there is sufficient room when taking runs in future. M L Yeung was advised that he must make more of an effort to prevent his mounts from shifting ground than he did on this occasion. Close to the line, DARS AUTO was steadied away from the heels of TOP DRAGON which continued to shift in. W M Lai was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes more effort to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. Throughout the race, GIANTS SERAPIS travelled wide and without cover. Trainer Y S Tsui explained that despite being ridden along in recent starts from inside barriers, TOP DRAGON had failed to show early speed. He said that when obliged to be ridden further back in the field than had been anticipated, TOP DRAGON had finished off its recent races well. He said today, from barrier 14, he instructed W M Lai to shift TOP DRAGON across behind other runners in the early stages rather than ride the horse along in pursuit of a forward position. When questioned, T Angland stated that rounding the Home Turn he committed to shift GOOD THINKER to the outside of CLYDESIDER as he thought that GIANTS SERAPIS was not travelling well to his outside and he would be able to obtain a run between these two horses immediately upon straightening. He said that GIANTS SERAPIS took longer than he anticipated to commence to give ground which resulted in him being momentarily held up for running behind CLYDESIDER at the entrance to the Straight. He said whilst the eventual winner, SUPER TEAM, which had been racing to the inside of CLYDESIDER, was going forward at this time, he had committed to shift to the outside of CLYDESIDER and therefore it was not available for him to shift to the inside of that horse to follow SUPER TEAM through. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SADDLERS LODGE had lost its left front plate. IRON HAWK, SUPER TEAM and GOOD THINKER were sent for sampling. <27/2/2012 Additional Veterinary Report> The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that MARK GOOD had a swollen left front medial suspensory branch on the day after racing. Before being allowed to race again, MARK GOOD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.