24/02/2008  Shatin  Race 9

ENGINEERING WONDER began awkwardly and lost ground. BOOMING CITY began awkwardly, became unbalanced and as a consequence lost ground. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, SUPER GENKI failed to muster speed. In the early stages, SUPER SNIPPETS proved difficult to settle, then making the turn at the 800 Metres was steadied away from the heels of CENTURY SUPER STAR. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, NICE KING, which was proving difficult to settle, got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of MARIBEAU (F Coetzee) which shifted in when not properly clear. F Coetzee was reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. After the 600 Metres, BOOMING CITY blundered when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SOLAR ENERGY. FAMAGUSTA made the Home Turn awkwardly and shifted out. At the 300 Metres, SOLAR ENERGY and CENTURY SUPER STAR bumped. Over the concluding stages, BOOMING CITY hung out. Approaching the winning post, FAMAGUSTA got its head on the side and shifted out abruptly. Throughout the race, MERIDIAN PRIDE travelled wide and without cover. G Mossé (NICE KING) said he had been instructed to have the horse begin well and then ride it where it was comfortable which was anticipated to be in front of midfield. He said NICE KING began well, he rode along to clear runners to his inside and then attempted to steady his mount. He said when being steadied NICE KING proved very difficult to settle and would not come back underneath him. He said because of this and because of the manner in which the race was run he ended up travelling further forward than anticipated. He added as a consequence of NICE KING being difficult to settle, the horse failed to finish the race off. NAMJONG FIGHTERS was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of NAMJONG FIGHTERS after the race did not show any significant findings. The Stewards will afford E Saint-Martin, the rider of NAMJONG FIGHTERS, an opportunity to explain the poor performance of the horse. FAMAGUSTA and SOLAR ENERGY were sent for sampling.