18/03/2012  Shatin  Race 6

STREET CAT was slow to begin. COSMIC BOOM began awkwardly. From the outside barrier, ALPHA GRAND was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After the 1000 Metres, NOBLE DEFEATER raced greenly and got its head up when proving difficult to settle and in doing so shifted in across the heels of DEEP THINKER. Making the turn near the 850 Metres, ELEPHANT MAGIC lost ground after becoming unbalanced of its own accord and shifting out towards the heels of RACING REWARD. In this incident, DEEP THINKER was hampered and NOBLE DEFEATER, which was following that horse, was shifted out away from the heels of DEEP THINKER. Passing the 600 Metres, STREET CAT lost ground when reluctant to maintain its position inside DEEP THINKER. After the 400 Metres, DEEP THINKER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of RACING REWARD which shifted out into clear running. Over the final 100 Metres, HEARTLAND hung in under pressure and proved difficult to ride. Throughout the race, NIGHTLIGN travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of RACING REWARD, O Doleuze stated that his mount travelled satisfactorily until the 600 Metres. He said at this point RACING REWARD had to be ridden along to maintain its position behind MONEYMAKER. He said at the entrance to the Straight he shifted RACING REWARD to the outside of that horse, however, RACING REWARD, unlike at its most recent start when successful, did not quicken and finished off the race only one-paced in the Straight. He added he had ridden RACING REWARD in a piece of work on the 1800 Metre gallop on 12 March 2012 and, in his opinion, this work was good. He said he was not able to offer any reason which would account for the horse’s disappointing performance today. A veterinary inspection of RACING REWARD and STREET CAT after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MONEYMAKER after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, MONEYMAKER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. COSMIC BOOM and HAPPY CERAMIBO were sent for sampling.