21/03/2015  Shatin  Race 1

MOBILE KING began awkwardly. DRAGON BACHELOR was slow to begin. SUPER HORSE and HEAR THE ROAR bumped at the start. A short distance later, SUPER HORSE was steadied when crowded for room between HEAR THE ROAR and GLAMOROUS RYDER which shifted out. ZERO ENERGY ACT and WIN CHANCE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. For some distance passing the 1300 Metres, GLAMOROUS RYDER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of COLOURFUL PROFIT. After the 1000 Metres, COLOURFUL PROFIT raced with its head on the side and lay in. Shortly after entering the Straight, HEAR THE ROAR was checked when endeavouring to improve to the inside of DRAGON BACHELOR and outside WIN CHANCE which, after initially shifting out of its own accord, was then taken out by SUPER STRIKE. In this incident, DRAGON BACHELOR became badly unbalanced after being heavily bumped on the hindquarters by HEAR THE ROAR. As the Stewards were satisfied that as HEAR THE ROAR was endeavouring to improve into running outside WIN CHANCE, at no stage had it established clear running to the outside of that horse, no further action was taken. Over the final 50 Metres, COLOURFUL PROFIT, which was closing off the race well, was checked away from the heels of KING HARADASUN when initially unable to improve between that horse and GLAMOROUS RYDER. Consequently COLOURFUL PROFIT was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. Throughout the race, WIN CHANCE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, B Prebble stated that as KING HARADASUN had been getting too far out of its ground in recent races, it was decided to attempt to have the horse ridden in a more forward position today if possible. He said after beginning fairly, he rode KING HARADASUN aggressively in the early stages and the horse responded positively and was able to obtain the lead on the rail passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said after this KING HARADASUN relaxed quite well, however, after entering the Back Straight was inclined to travel keenly. He said he attempted to steady the tempo on KING HARADASUN as much as possible without having to restrain the horse too strongly. He said although he was aware that the race was being run at a faster tempo than he would have preferred, particularly after the 800 Metres, he believed it would have been detrimental to KING HARADASUN’s chances had he have attempted to restrain the horse heavily as it was travelling strongly at this time, therefore he allowed it to continue to stride. He added in the Straight KING HARADASUN finished off the race well although it peaked on its run late in the race. MY CUP OVERFLOWS and DRAGON BACHELOR were sent for sampling.