23/12/2007  Shatin  Race 1

After arriving at the Start, G Boss expressed concern over the action of HONG KONG GEM. HONG KONG GEM was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. When the gates opened, MAKE A MINT bounded in the air, on landing blundered and almost fell. As a consequence, MAKE A MINT lost a considerable amount of ground. LUCKY CORDELIA was slow to begin. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, VITAL PATROL was momentarily crowded for room inside CHEERFUL HAPPINESS which got its head on the side and hung in. Approaching the 600 Metres, FANTASTIC WIN was steadied away from the heels of SPEED OF LIGHT which itself was steadied away from the heels of CHEERFUL HAPPINESS. On straightening, CHEERFUL HAPPINESS and SINOSPIEL bumped. Throughout the race, SINOSPIEL travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Mr C S Shum, trainer of MR FLOODLIGHT, explained because of the anticipated slow tempo of today’s race, he had instructed S Dye, the horse’s rider, from the outside barrier to obtain a forward position. He said in his opinion the rail placement of today’s racemeeting of B+2 in the past had favoured horses travelling in forward positions. He said when the horse raced at Happy Valley last Wednesday over 1650 Metres, he had on that occasion instructed S Dye to take the horse back to the rear from the outside barrier because of the short run to the first turn. He said at MR FLOODLIGHT’s start prior to that, from a more favourable draw over 1650 Metres at Happy Valley the horse had been ridden in a more forward position. LUCKY CORDELIA was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, LUCKY CORDELIA was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. CELESTIAL WONDER and MR FLOODLIGHT were sent for sampling. After the race, it was reported MR FLOODLIGHT had lost its left front plate.