09/09/2007  Shatin  Race 4

When being saddled, SUPER IDEAL became fractious and shifted its left front plate. This plate was reset. The horse was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. When the gates opened, SOUTHERN EMPEROR bounded in the air and lost ground. RED WINE HONEY and EVER KING were slow to begin. At the 1400 Metres, SOUTHERN EMPEROR became unbalanced and was steadied when crowded for room between RED WINE HONEY and EVER KING. At the 900 Metres, SUPER FANTASY, which was proving difficult to settle, got its head up and shifted out when being steadied away from the heels of RIGHT FRAAR. After this, SUPER FANTASY continued to prove difficult to settle, was left racing without cover and after the 800 Metres was allowed to stride forward. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, RIGHT FRAAR was steadied away from the heels of BIG WINNER which at this time was steadied away from the heels of SUPER IDEAL. FANTASTIC WIN, which was following RIGHT FRAAR, was steadied in consequence. At the 700 Metres and again at the 600 Metres, GOOD VIEW SUCCESS was steadied away from the heels of DURABLE. After the 600 Metres, MASTER ABLE became unbalanced when being steadied to shift to the outside of RED WINE HONEY. GOOD VIEW SUCCESS made the Home Turn awkwardly, shifted out and was steadied away from the hindquarters of SUPER IDEAL. On straightening, BIG WINNER was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of RIGHT FRAAR. At the 350 Metres, RED WINE HONEY was disappointed for running between BIG WINNER and FANTASTIC WIN. After the 200 Metres, GALAXY DANCER was steadied when crowded for room between SUPER IDEAL and GOOD VIEW SUCCESS which shifted out when endeavouring to obtain clear running. Over the concluding stages, RED WINE HONEY raced tight inside SOUTHERN EMPEROR which was hanging. Because of this, RED WINE HONEY was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. For the majority of the Home Straight, GOOD VIEW SUCCESS did not obtain clear running and because of this was not properly tested. In the Straight, SOUTHERN EMPEROR hung in and proved difficult to ride. When questioned, S Dye (CHAMPION PIONEER) explained the horse travelled in a midfield position in the early stages. He said after LUCKY MONEY STAR crossed to the lead at the 1200 Metres, he was travelling four back on the fence and following GOOD VIEW SUCCESS. He said he continued in that position and CHAMPION PIONEER travelled comfortably until near the 700 Metres where the horse became unbalanced behind. He said because of this he ensured CHAMPION PIONEER regained its balance, however, he held his position behind GOOD VIEW SUCCESS. He said after the 700 Metres runners from the rear of the field commenced to improve their position around his outside and at the 600 Metres he continued to travel behind GOOD VIEW SUCCESS, 4 back on the rail, however, because of the manner in which the race was run he had dropped towards the rear. He said he believed GOOD VIEW SUCCESS was the preferred runner to follow as in his opinion it was the horse to beat. He said prior to straightening GOOD VIEW SUCCESS became awkwardly placed inside the heels of SUPER IDEAL, he therefore shortly after the 500 Metres shifted to the outside of that runner in the hope that he would be able to obtain clear running. He said when he did this, MASTER ABLE was then racing to his outside which prevented him from being able to shift further after straightening into clear running and as a consequence he was held up from on straightening until near the 200 Metres. He said during this section of the race he steadied his mount in an endeavour to shift out without causing interference to MASTER ABLE He said when in the clear CHAMPION PIONEER hung out as it has done in the past, because of this he changed the whip into his left hand and CHAMPION PIONEER closed the race off strongly. In deciding that the manner in which the race was run did not place S Dye's ride in breach of the Rules, he nonetheless was told he should at all times be aware of other runners improving their position at vital stages of the race and he should endeavour to position his mount to avoid being unnecessarily held up for clear running at these times. CHAMPION PIONEER was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of CHAMPION PIONEER after the race did not show any significant findings. RIGHT FRAAR and LUCKY MONEY STAR were sent for sampling. Following the race, D Nikolic reported GALAXY DANCER was making an abnormal breathing noise. GALAXY DANCER was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said there were no significant findings.