04/05/2008  Shatin  Race 4

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY was slow to begin. JOY TRUMPS began awkwardly and got its head up. In the early stages, EVER KING was taken across behind runners, then making the first turn raced ungenerously and got its head up on a number of occasions. Also in the early stages, ALICE TOO travelled wide and without cover, then approaching the 1200 Metres was ridden along to go forward. Approaching the turn at the 700 Metres, PURE ALPHA was awkwardly placed close to the heels of VINCERE. For some distance after straightening, NIGHT HUNTER III had difficulty obtaining clear running. In the early part of the Straight, HAPPY HEROES had difficulty obtaining clear running and after the 200 Metres was steadied when awkwardly placed between NIGHT HUNTER III and CHEERFUL HEART. When questioned, Apprentice C W Wong (DASH) explained he had been instructed to ride the horse in about 4th or 5th position with cover. He said DASH began well, he allowed HAPPY ALL AROUND to improve on his inside as he anticipated that horse would be one of the leaders. He said he then commenced to shift across closer to the rail, however, making the first turn DASH was racing keenly and because of this he was not able to steady his mount to obtain a position behind VINCERE which had crossed to race outside the leader. He said ALICE TOO which was travelling to his outside went forward approaching the 1200 Metres and DASH continued to race keenly. He said as he endeavoured to come back to obtain a position with cover, KING HESPERUS improved to his inside and as a consequence he was obliged to continue racing three wide and without cover. He said because of the manner in which the race was run he was not able to obtain cover after entering the Back Straight and as a consequence DASH gave ground and performed poorly. Apprentice Wong was told his riding in the early stages of the race had come under notice and he should where circumstances permit ensure horses ridden by him do not cover unnecessary ground in races. When questioned regarding the poor performance of JOY TRUMPS, Apprentice K L Chui said his mount began only fairly and then because of the strong tempo of the race in the early and middle stages travelled slightly further back than intended. He said he placed JOY TRUMPS under pressure at the 500 Metres when the tempo of the race quickened, however, the horse did not respond to his riding and failed to close the race off as he had hoped. NIGHT HUNTER III was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. JOY TRUMPS and DASH were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of NIGHT HUNTER III, JOY TRUMPS and DASH after the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY ALL AROUND and KING HESPERUS were sent for sampling.