12/05/2008  Shatin  Race 3

TATTENHALL DELIGHT, which was fractious in its stall, was slow to begin. On jumping, OPERA MAGIC knuckled. Near the 1100 Metres, AMAZING ME was checked to avoid the heels of MOSHI MOSHI (M Du Plessis) which shifted in when not properly clear. M Du Plessis was severely reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. For some distance after the 1100 Metres, TATTENHALL DELIGHT was steadied away from the heels of SOUND OF SILENCE which in turn was steadied away from the heels of MYTHIC STEED which was initially awkwardly placed inside ENCORE and then steadied to allow that runner to cross. Approaching the turn at the 800 Metres, TATTENHALL DELIGHT was steadied when awkwardly placed tight inside GALLANT WIN which got its head up and shifted in when being steadied away from the heels of SUPERNOVA. Near the 800 Metres, SOUND OF SILENCE was momentarily steadied while crowded for room inside SUPERNOVA which got its head on the side and hung in. Approaching the 800 Metres, LUCKY DRAGON was left racing without cover. Over about the final 50 Metres, SOUND OF SILENCE, which was closing the race off fairly, had difficulty obtaining clear running and because of this was not ridden out fully to the end of the race. M Du Plessis explained from a wide barrier he was instructed to ride his horse in a rearward position in an endeavour to have it close the race off. He said in accordance with those instructions he did not ride MOSHI MOSHI along in the early stages and travelled in a rearward position. He said MOSHI MOSHI travelled comfortably in the early and middle stages and in the Straight responded fairly to his riding, however, in his opinion may be better suited to a track surface with more give in it than that of today’s. He said it was felt with the speed in the race if MOSHI MOSHI were to be ridden along in the early stages, the horse might be left racing wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the poor performance of GALLANT WIN, G Boss was unable to offer any explanation. He said his mount travelled comfortably in a rearward position as is usual. He said prior to straightening he commenced to ride GALLANT WIN along, however, the horse failed to respond to his riding in the Straight. He said because of the manner in which GALLANT WIN gave ground in the Straight he felt the horse might have bled. GALLANT WIN was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, GALLANT WIN was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, GALLANT WIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. KING OF SPADES was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, KING OF SPADES was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. LUCKY DRAGON and SUPERNOVA were sent for sampling.