17/02/2008  Shatin  Race 5

After being boxed, FOREVER FRIENDSHIP became fractious and reared. FOREVER FRIENDSHIP was then slow to begin. Before being allowed to race again, FOREVER FRIENDSHIP will have to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. On jumping, BOOMING CITY and SPRING SUN bumped. KING PRAWN SUPREME began awkwardly. From the outside barrier, NORTH HILL was taken across behind runners. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, WIN-A-LOT was steadied away from the heels of FOREVER FRIENDSHIP which itself was steadied away from the heels of SOUTH CHINA ELITE which in turn was steadied away from the heels of GRAND COMMANDS. At the 800 Metres, BOOMING CITY was steadied away from the heels of KING PRAWN SUPREME which shifted out after being crossed by SPRING SUN. After this, BOOMING CITY travelled wide and without cover and making the Home Turn hung out. Making the turn after the 800 Metres, SPRING SUN hung out. In the middle stages, FERRO BEAU proved difficult to settle. After the 600 Metres, FOREVER FRIENDSHIP was checked and shifted out away from the heels of GRAND COMMANDS which when commencing to give ground became unbalanced while awkwardly placed inside SOUTH CHINA ELITE. For some distance after straightening, LUCKY FRUIT had difficulty obtaining clear running. In the Straight, ENCOSTA DON, which was hanging in, proved difficult to shift out into clear running. W M Lai (ENCOSTA DON) explained his mount became fractious prior to the start being effected. He said because of this he took hold of ENCOSTA DON in an endeavour to settle his mount. He said as he did this the gates opened which resulted in him having a short hold of ENCOSTA DON which in turn caused the horse to get its head up on jumping and as a consequence lose ground. W M Lai was told to ensure where possible he allows his mounts sufficient rein at the start to jump cleanly. GRAND COMMANDS and SPRING SUN were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of GRAND COMMANDS and SPRING SUN after the race did not show any significant findings. SOUTH CHINA ELITE, KING PRAWN SUPREME and LUCKY FRUIT were sent for sampling.