01/03/2008  Shatin  Race 3

On jumping, GRAND CRU knuckled. CHINA WIN was slow to begin, then shortly afterwards was steadied away from the heels GRAND CRU. VIKING TOR was a little slow to begin and was then ridden along to make up ground. As a result of this, VIKING TOR proved very difficult to settle in the early stages. Near the 1200 Metres, EVERGREEN was steadied away from the heels of GRAND CRU. After the 1200 Metres, CHINA WIN, which was proving difficult to settle, became unbalanced when being steadied away from the heels of SPEEDY WARRIOR. Prior to straightening, FERRO BEAU and CHINA WIN became unbalanced after bumping. Near the 300 Metres, HAPPY GO LUCKY was steadied when disappointed for running between VIKING TOR and NORDIC STAR. After the 200 Metres, CHINA WIN, which was closing the race off strongly, was checked when disappointed for running between STAR OF FAME which shifted out slightly and KING PRAWN SUPREME which when giving ground shifted in. In the circumstances, no action was taken. After this, CHINA WIN was shifted to the outside of STAR OF FAME and in doing so carried KING PRAWN SUPREME out when not clear of NORDIC STAR, causing that horse to be checked. No action was taken. Approaching the 100 Metres, EVERGREEN, which was giving ground, was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of FERRO BEAU. Over the concluding stages, CHINA WIN hung out. C K Tong (FERRO BEAU) explained from the outside barrier he was instructed to take his mount back at the start and to ensure it relaxed. He said FERRO BEAU travelled comfortably in the run and responded well to his riding in the early part of the Straight, however, in his opinion the horse's run finished short of the line. F Coetzee (KING PRAWN SUPREME) explained the intention had been to lead if possible. He said in the early stages MERIDIAN PRIDE was ridden along to secure the lead and he endeavoured to shift across to race outside that horse. He said as he shifted across, STAR OF FAME held its position to his inside and after the 1000 Metres he allowed KING PRAWN SUPREME to go further forward in an endeavour to clear that runner to avoid being caught three wide. He said as he did this, STAR OF FAME held its position to his inside and as such he was not able to cross prior to making the turn at the 800 Metres. He said in his opinion if he had continued endeavouring to cross STAR OF FAME, he would have been required to make too much use of KING PRAWN SUPREME, he therefore elected to have the horse balanced in a three wide position without cover. He said as a consequence KING PRAWN SUPREME was not able to finish the race off. KING PRAWN SUPREME was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of KING PRAWN SUPREME after the race did not show any significant findings. M Nunes (SUPER HONEY) said he was instructed to ride the horse in a similar manner to when he last rode it over 1400 Metres which was in a midfield position. He said on that occasion SUPER HONEY had drawn the inside barrier, travelled comfortably in the run and closed the race off nicely. He said today from a wider barrier he restrained his mount in the early stages in an endeavour to obtain a position with cover. He said after the 1200 Metres SUPER HONEY was bumped and carried wider by runners on the inside and he therefore elected to steady and come back to ensure he had a position with cover. He said as a consequence SUPER HONEY travelled further back than he had intended. He added in the Straight SUPER HONEY failed to close the race off. SUPER HONEY was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of SUPER HONEY after the race did not show any significant findings. GRAND CRU and MERIDIAN PRIDE were sent for sampling.