09/09/2007  Shatin  Race 9

AMPLE GAINS began awkwardly, shifted in, bumped with TACTIC KING and as a consequence lost ground. FERRO BEAU was slow to begin. DAO DAO began awkwardly. Near the 1000 Metres, FERRO BEAU and DAO DAO bumped when racing tight inside LE ROSSIGNOL. After the 800 Metres, BEING FAMOUS, which was wide and without cover, was permitted to stride forward, however, continued to race without cover, then in the Straight gave ground. At the 350 Metres, LUCKY MONEY checked when crowded for room outside TACTIC KING (Apprentice H W Lai) which shifted out after initially being directed out by CLASSIC REUNION. In the circumstances, Apprentice Lai was severely reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. After the 100 Metres, TRIUMPHANT DIAMOND, which was hanging in, shifted in and brushed DAO DAO. After this, DAO DAO and TRIUMPHANT DIAMOND raced tight in the run to the line. Throughout the race, TACTIC KING and FAT DRAGON travelled wide and without cover. Z Purton (ALICE TOO) explained he was familiar with the horse racing in Australia prior to its arrival in Hong Kong. He said before arriving in Hong Kong, ALICE TOO would be ridden somewhat patiently and allowed to finish its races off. He said he had reviewed films of the horse's performances since arriving in Hong Kong and he had noted that ALICE TOO had been ridden prominently and had failed to finish its races off. He said because of this he discussed with Mr K W Lui, the trainer of ALICE TOO, that today from a wide barrier ALICE TOO should be ridden more quietly to enable it to finish the race off. He said Mr Lui agreed with those instructions and when being ridden in this manner ALICE TOO had in his opinion finished the race off better than it had when it had been ridden forward. G Boss (CLASSIC REUNION) said the intention had been to ride the horse in a forward position as is usual. He said after beginning fairly he rode CLASSIC REUNION along, however, when it was racing tight outside FERRO BEAU, the horse failed to muster speed and as a consequence travelled in a rearward position. He said the horse's action appeared normal, however, when placed under pressure in the Straight CLASSIC REUNION did not respond to his riding and was most disappointing. He said when he was easing CLASSIC REUNION down after the winning post, the horse coughed on several occasions. CLASSIC REUNION was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. After the race, CLASSIC REUNION was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said there were no significant findings other than the horse had lost its right hind plate. Before being allowed to race again, CLASSIC REUNION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. LUCKY MONEY and JOLLY WONGCHOY were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY MONEY and JOLLY WONGCHOY after the race did not show any significant findings. TRIUMPHANT DIAMOND and DAO DAO were sent for sampling.