24/03/2008  Shatin  Race 10

ACHILLES OF TROY was slow to begin. ENTHUSED began awkwardly, then shortly afterwards lost further ground when crowded for room inside NIGHTLIGN which shifted in after being bumped by NATURAL BLITZ. In the early stages, BEAR MACHO and ABLE TOO proved difficult to settle. Throughout the race, REGENCY HORSE travelled wide and without cover and making the turn at the 800 Metres became unbalanced when bumping with ACHILLES OF TROY. For some distance after the 700 Metres, HIGH POINT travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ABLE TOO. Prior to straightening, JIANG JUN was steadied when awkwardly placed between VENI VEDI VICI and ELEGANT WIN. For some distance approaching and passing the 300 Metres, ELEGANT WIN was held up and unable to improve. From the 300 Metres until the 200 Metres, VENI VEDI VICI, which was commencing to close the race off strongly, was steadied when unable to obtain clear running between LIBERAL’S KNIGHT and NATURAL BLITZ which were giving ground. For some distance after the 200 Metres, VENI VEDI VICI was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of LIBERAL’S KNIGHT when endeavouring to shift to the outside of that horse to go forward. F Coetzee (COUNTRY MUSIC) explained he had been instructed to allow the horse to travel where it was comfortable. He said having reviewed the horse’s recent starts, he believed this would be in a position in front of midfield. He said COUNTRY MUSIC began fairly from a wide barrier and he initially did not ride along as he expected the horse to show some natural speed. He said when a number of runners improved to his inside in the early stages, he elected to come back on COUNTRY MUSIC to avoid being caught racing without cover. He said near the 1000 Metres ACHILLES OF TROY was hard ridden to improve on his inside, he therefore allowed that horse to go forward and shift across behind it in a position further back than he had anticipated. He said in the early part of the Straight COUNTRY MUSIC gave a strong kick, however, the horse’s run finished short of the line. VENI VEDI VICI was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, VENI VEDI VICI was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. ENTHUSED, NIGHTLIGN and ABLE TOO were sent for sampling. After the race, it was reported NATURAL BLITZ had lost its right front plate.