01/05/2008  Shatin  Race 11

TOWERING FEELING and GEM OF CHIU TON were slow to begin. SUPREME GAINS was slow to begin and then despite being ridden along failed to muster speed. Shortly after the start, WHATABOB was carried wider by SKYVIEW BAR which when hanging out shifted ground. From a wide barrier, LUCKY HERO was taken across behind runners in the early stages. In the early stages, SLOW WALTZ travelled wide and without cover, then after the 1000 Metres was hard ridden to go forward, clear runners to its inside and shift to the fence. Near the 800 Metres, PRIME SCORE was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 700 Metres, TOWERING FEELING was steadied away from the heels of WHATABOB. In the middle stages, SILVER SUN travelled wide and without cover. At the 500 Metres, LUCKY HERO was steadied away from the heels of NEVER LOOK BACK. In the early part of the Straight, SUPREME GAINS and LUCKY HERO had difficulty obtaining clear running. Also in the early part of the Straight, TOWERING FEELING was held up and unable to obtain clear running and after the 400 Metres was checked when disappointed for running between SKYVIEW BAR and TEAM WORK which were giving ground. Approaching the 300 Metres, GEM OF CHIU TON, which was having difficulty obtaining clear running, was steadied away from the heels of WHATABOB. Near the 300 Metres, TOWERING FEELING was checked when crowded for room between GEM OF CHIU TON and TEAM WORK (M Nunes) which when giving ground quickly shifted out slightly. In the circumstances, the Stewards believed it appropriate to severely reprimand M Nunes and advise him to exercise greater care. Approaching the 200 Metres, LUCKY HERO was shifted in to continue going forward. At the 150 Metres, NEVER LOOK BACK was steadied away from the heels of OURAJA. At the 50 Metres, SUPREME GAINS, which was closing the race off strongly, was steadied and shifted out to continue going forward. O Doleuze (TOWERING FEELING) was told whilst the Stewards accepted his mount had been interfered with in the early part of the Straight, he nonetheless has an obligation to resume riding his mount out at least hands and heels to the end of the race where circumstances permit. M Nunes (TEAM WORK), a last start winner which performed poorly, explained his mount did not handle the increase in distance to 1400 Metres of today’s race after having travelled keenly in the middle stages. SLOW WALTZ, SKYVIEW BAR and TOWERING FEELING were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of SLOW WALTZ, SKYVIEW BAR and TOWERING FEELING after the race did not show any significant findings. OURAJA and PRIME SCORE were sent for sampling.