06/04/2008  Shatin  Race 5

INFINITE DELIGHT, EVER BRIGHT and FAMOUS DANCER were slow to begin. At the 1700 Metres, when being taken across behind runners from a wide barrier, NORTHERNER got its head up while being steadied away from the heels of MAN IN THE MIRROR. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, INFINITE DELIGHT was steadied away from the heels of GO JOHNNY GO. At the 600 Metres, SOCRATES broke down and was eased out of the race. When SOCRATES broke down, HAIL THE STORM, which was following, was checked and shifted out abruptly to avoid that horse. As a consequence, HAIL THE STORM lost considerable ground. Making the Home Turn, FAMOUS DANCER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of INFINITE DELIGHT, then in the early part of the Straight shifted wider to obtain clear running. When questioned, F Coetzee (LUCKYME) explained he had been instructed to lead on the horse if possible and if he was not able to do so he should ensure that the horse did not race with other runners on its outside. He said LUCKYME began well, he allowed the horse from its wide barrier to travel forward. He said shortly after the start he noticed LU YUE and ALBERTINELLI which had drawn inside barriers being hard ridden to go forward. He said he allowed LUCKYME to shift across gradually and because he believed the tempo of the race in the early stages was strong, he would have been required to make too much use of LUCKYME to cross those runners. He said shortly after the 1600 Metres he commenced to steady LUCKYME to obtain a position with cover and as he did this ALBERTINELLI was steadied and shifted out. He said he did consider improving his position after the 1600 Metres, however, if he were to do so ALBERTINELLI would be ridden along on his inside to maintain a position outside the leader. He said after the 1200 Metres he for a short distance obtained a position with cover behind ALBERTINELLI, however, when he did this the tempo of the race steadied. He said near the 1000 Metres to avoid having other runners improve around his outside he again shifted to a three wide position outside the heels of ALBERTINELLI. He said in the middle stages LUCKYME was inclined to hang in, was not travelling well enough on straightening to prevent EVER BRIGHT shifting out from the inside and commenced to give ground shortly afterwards. He said while giving ground in the Straight LUCKYME hung in. HAIL THE STORM and LUCKYME were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of HAIL THE STORM and LUCKYME after the race did not show any significant findings. SOUTH BREEZE, LU YUE and EVER BRIGHT were sent for sampling.