07/10/2007  Shatin  Race 6

CHEEKY LAD, which was fractious in the barriers, began awkwardly. GALLANT WIN shifted out abruptly at the start, resulting in COME HO CHOI being checked across the heels of JOYFUL WORLD. MACAROON and DELIGHTFUL WIN made contact at the start. A short distance afterwards, both MACAROON and DELIGHTFUL WIN were crowded for room between KING OF SPADES and FIRST KNIGHT which after shifting out of its own accord was taken out slightly by PICTURE PERFECT. From the outside barrier, SEVENS HEAVEN after beginning well was taken back behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. Passing the 800 Metres, SEVENS HEAVEN shifted out away from the heels of FIRST KNIGHT. After this, SEVENS HEAVEN raced wide and without cover. For some distance in the early stages, GALLANT WIN proved very difficult to settle, got its head up on a number of occasions and near the 1200 Metres shifted out, resulting in FIRST KNIGHT being taken out onto KING OF SPADES. After this, GALLANT WIN continued to prove difficult to settle. Approaching the turn at the 800 Metres, GREAT HERO commenced to over-race and shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of JOYFUL WORLD. As a result of this incident, GREAT HERO bumped with QI’S PET. QI’S PET and GREAT HERO then made contact for a short distance thereafter. Also approaching the 800 Metres, DELIGHTFUL WIN got its head up and proved difficult to settle when racing close to the heels of FIRST KNIGHT. DELIGHTFUL WIN, which hung in in the Straight, had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 300 Metres, JOYFUL WORLD was steadied and shifted to the outside of MOSHI MOSHI when disappointed for running between that horse and PICTURE PERFECT. Prior to the line, CHEEKY LAD was steadied when crowded for room between KING OF SPADES and GALLANT WIN, both of which shifted ground. When questioned regarding AURELIAN racing more forward today, Apprentice H W Lai stated he was instructed to have the horse in front of midfield and to obtain cover if possible. He added from barrier 13 he was unable to obtain cover as he had been instructed and consequently travelled wide and without cover throughout the event. Mr L Ho, trainer of AURELIAN, stated the instructions today were consistent with those given in its most recent start, however, on that occasion the horse was slow to begin and the rider was not able to ride the horse as he had hoped. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GREAT HERO, C K Tong stated the horse when proving difficult to settle in the early stages made contact with QI’S PET on a number of occasions. He said after this GREAT HERO appeared reluctant to stride out and did not respond to his riding at any stage during the race. FIRST KNIGHT, GREAT HERO and COME HO CHOI were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of FIRST KNIGHT, GREAT HERO and COME HO CHOI after the race did not show any significant findings. GALLANT WIN, JOYFUL WORLD and AURELIAN were sent for sampling.