28/09/2008  Shatin  Race 4

MAXIMUM CHARM bounded in the air at the start and lost ground. FORTUNE GALLOP began awkwardly. ZERO GRAVITY began awkwardly and knuckled. At the 1200 Metres, FORTUNE GALLOP was inconvenienced by ALL FOR ONE which was carried in slightly by FIRST KNIGHT. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, FIRST KNIGHT was steadied away from the heels of ALL FOR ONE which got its head on the side and shifted ground while hanging out. For some distance after straightening, GRAND GENERAL had difficulty obtaining clear running. From the 400 Metres until the 300 Metres, FORTUNE GALLOP was held up and unable to obtain clear running. From the 400 Metres until the 250 Metres, PALIO KING was held up and unable to obtain clear running. After the 200 Metres, REDHILL COMMANDER was carried wider by OSCAR PRINCE which when closing the race off shifted to the outside of NOBLE ZOOM into clear running as NOBLE ZOOM itself was carried wider by ZERO GRAVITY (Apprentice K L Chui). Apprentice Chui was told to exercise care. Apprentice K C Leung (FIRST KNIGHT), 6th placegetter, was reminded of his responsibility to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels to the end of the race where circumstances permit. When questioned, Apprentice K C Leung said at the horse’s previous start it was anticipated the tempo of the race would be slow. He said on that occasion he was asked to take FIRST KNIGHT back from a wide barrier to avoid being caught wide and without cover. He said today FIRST KNIGHT had drawn only slightly better, however, it was anticipated the tempo of this race would be good. He said for that reason he was instructed to ride FIRST KNIGHT in a midfield position if possible with cover. He said he rode FIRST KNIGHT along in the early stage as instructed, he obtained a midfield position, however, at the 800 Metres was left racing without cover. When questioned, W M Lai (VITALITY CHAMP) said he was instructed to ride the horse in front of midfield and if possible find a position on the rails. He said VITALITY CHAMP began well from a wide barrier, he did not ride it along in the early stages as he anticipated the horse’s natural speed would enable it to obtain a forward position. He said when a number of runners on his inside went forward in the early stages, he felt he would then be required to make too much use of VITALITY CHAMP to obtain a position in midfield, he therefore elected to steady his mount and take it back to a position behind midfield with cover. W M Lai was told where circumstances permit he must make a greater effort to position his mounts in accordance with the instructions issued to him. B Prebble (ALL FOR ONE) said it was anticipated the horse would run an improved race today, however, it was not felt to be a strong chance. He said ALL FOR ONE showed better speed in the early stages than it has in the past, then came under pressure at the 600 Metres and was disappointing in the manner in which it finished the race off. ALL FOR ONE was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of ALL FOR ONE after the race did not show any significant findings. PALIO KING, OSCAR PRINCE and REDHILL COMMANDER were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported GRAND GENERAL had blood present at its right nostril. He said an endoscopic examination showed the horse’s trachea to be clean and as such was not deemed to have bled. Also after the race, the Veterinary Officer reported MIRACULOUS was making a respiratory noise. He said an endoscopic examination confirmed the horse to be a “roarer”.