09/09/2007  Shatin  Race 3

FAVOURITE SUPREME was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, CENTURY SUPER STAR and TRIUMPHANT GLORY bumped. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, TAIJI SPIRIT was steadied when crowded for room between TRIUMPHANT GLORY which throughout the race travelled wide and without cover and CITY SURFER which was carried out by BEAUTIFUL CHOICE which at this time was steadied to avoid the heels of NEW TRIUMPH which was carried in by MOSHI MOSHI (F Coetzee) which shifted ground when not properly clear. F Coetzee was advised to exercise greater care. When TAIJI SPIRIT steadied, FAVOURITE SUPREME, which was following, was checked to avoid the heels of that runner. For a considerable distance after the 700 Metres, BEAUTIFUL CHOICE was steadied when awkwardly placed close to the heels of NEW TRIUMPH. Passing the 600 Metres, TAIJI SPIRIT was awkwardly placed behind CITY SURFER and inside the heels of TRIUMPHANT GLORY. For a short distance after the 400 Metres, I'M NO SQUARE had difficulty obtaining clear running. For some distance approaching and passing the 300 Metres, NEW TRIUMPH had difficulty obtaining clear running between MOSHI MOSHI and RAIN CHECK. Over the concluding stages, FAVOURITE SUPREME hung in. For the major part of the race, GENERAL SPEEDEE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the poor performance of MOSHI MOSHI, F Coetzee said he travelled in a forward position from a wide barrier as instructed. He said MOSHI MOSHI travelled satisfactorily, however, in the Straight did not respond to his riding. He said in his opinion MOSHI MOSHI is better suited by the tempo of races longer than that of today's 1200 Metres and in addition the horse's best performances have been on track surfaces with more give in the ground than today's. D Nikolic (MEDALLION) explained the horse has shown itself to have a sensitive mouth and to race ungenerously. He said MEDALLION was slow to begin, immediately got its head up and because of this lost further ground. He said because of the horse's racing characteristics, he was reluctant to ride it along in the early stages as he felt the horse might commence to hang out and as a consequence he travelled a little further off the field than is usual. He said making the turn at the 800 Metres MEDALLION commenced to hang out, however, he was able to prevent the horse from shifting wider. He said in the middle stages MEDALLION continued to race greenly, near the 600 Metres when he steadied to shift to the outside of TAIJI SPIRIT, MEDALLION immediately shifted wider than he had intended because of its hanging. He said MEDALLION continued to hang out until after entering the Home Straight when he changed the whip into his left hand. He said when being ridden out MEDALLION closed the race off strongly. MOSHI MOSHI and TRIUMPHANT GLORY were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of MOSHI MOSHI and TRIUMPHANT GLORY after the race did not show any significant findings. RAIN CHECK, FAVOURITE SUPREME and I'M NO SQUARE were sent for sampling.