12/01/2008  Shatin  Race 3

KEEP SMILING began awkwardly and lost ground. LITTLE BIG BOY bounded in the air at the start and lost ground. BOUNCER was slow to begin. On jumping, BRILLIANT TREASURE was crowded for room between ALWAYS ZIETEN and ISLAND SUNRISE. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, ALWAYS ZIETEN was slow to muster speed. For some distance after the 1000 Metres, ISTIDE proved difficult to settle and got its head up when racing close to the heels of ISLAND SUNRISE. LITTLE BIG BOY, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of ISTIDE. Approaching the turn at the 800 Metres, OSCAR PRINCE was steadied away from the heels of FANTASTIC TIME. Making the turn after the 800 Metres and in the Straight, JUGGERNAUT hung out. For a short distance after straightening, FANTASTIC TIME had difficulty obtaining clear running. After the 400 Metres, OSCAR PRINCE was bumped and carried wider by LITTLE BIG BOY which got its head on the side and shifted out away from BOUNCER which at this time shifted out. After this, LITTLE BIG BOY continued to hang out and proved difficult to ride in the Straight. In the Straight, KEEP SMILING raced greenly and after the 200 Metres when being ridden out shifted in abruptly. Also in the Straight, BOUNCER hung out and proved difficult to ride. For the major part of the race, BRILLIANT TREASURE travelled wide and without cover. B Prebble (TRIUMPHANT ECHO) explained he had been instructed to ride the horse where it was comfortable and endeavour to have it relaxed. He said at its last start TRIUMPHANT ECHO raced greenly when being ridden more prominently. He said because of this he did not ride TRIUMPHANT ECHO along in the early stages, ensured the horse was properly balanced and endeavoured to have it relaxed.  He said TRIUMPHANT ECHO after the 1000 Metres still showed signs of greenness and in the Straight whilst finishing its race off fairly continued to race like an inexperienced horse. He said in his opinion TRIUMPHANT ECHO will be better suited racing over longer distances than that of the 1400 Metres of today’s race once the horse matures. BRILLIANT TREASURE was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, BRILLIANT TREASURE was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. ISLAND SUNRISE and ISTIDE were sent for sampling.