26/10/2008  Shatin  Race 10

SOUTH DAKOTA and IMPERIAL APPLAUSE were slow to begin. BLESSING, which was leaning against the inside of its stall, was slow to begin and was then taken across behind runners. Passing the 1200 Metres, KINGS FALCON was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of YOUNG HERO which was being taken back to a position with cover. At the 900 Metres, NEVER LOOK BACK got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TIBER and tight inside TOWERING FEELING which at this time was steadied to allow OURAJA which had been racing wide and without cover to cross. After this incident, TOWERING FEELING raced wide and without cover. From on straightening until after the 300 Metres, KINGS FALCON was held up and unable to improve. Approaching the 300 Metres, SOUTH DAKOTA and IMPERIAL APPLAUSE had difficulty obtaining clear running. At the 250 Metres, GALLANT LION, which for a considerable distance had been held up and unable to obtain clear running, was shifted in to go forward. B Prebble (OURAJA) explained from a wide barrier first up this season the horse was ridden in a rearward position. He said today OURAJA drew a slightly better barrier, it was therefore decided to endeavour to ride the horse in a forward position if it began well and did not have to be used up to go forward. He said OURAJA began well, he allowed the horse to travel forward, approaching the 900 Metres when it became apparent to him that he would be left racing wide and without cover, he allowed OURAJA to go further forward and cross to race outside the lead. He said he did not have to make any significant use of OURAJA to obtain a forward position and at the 800 Metres was then able to steady his mount which in turn steadied the tempo of the race. He said OURAJA travelled only fairly making the turn after the 800 Metres and on several occasions made a significant breathing noise which it had not done in the past. He said OURAJA came under pressure on straightening, did not respond to his riding and was most disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground. OURAJA was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of OURAJA after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, OURAJA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. NEVER LOOK BACK was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of NEVER LOOK BACK after the race did not show any significant findings. IMPERIAL APPLAUSE and KINGS FALCON were sent for sampling.