28/12/2008  Shatin  Race 4

ROCKALOT was slow to begin and then despite being ridden along failed to muster speed. On jumping, LAZY BUDDIES was bumped by PACIFIC ALLIANCE which became unbalanced and shifted in after being bumped heavily by CALL ME CULLEN which also shifted in. After this, PACIFIC ALLIANCE was taken back and then in the early and middle stages proved difficult to settle. In the early stages, when racing without cover, FRAMES DEPOT proved difficult to settle. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, KEEN SPIRIT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of NATURAL ECHO. At the 600 Metres, HAPPY HEROES was steadied when disappointed for running between SAMMY'S FORTUNE and ROCKALOT which shifted out. PACIFIC ALLIANCE, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of HAPPY HEROES. After this, PACIFIC ALLIANCE was steadied away from the heels of DENDRANTHEMA LOVE. At the 500 Metres, ROCKALOT was steadied when awkwardly placed between SAMMY’S FORTUNE and CALL ME CULLEN. From shortly after straightening until near the 200 Metres, KEEN SPIRIT was held up and unable to obtain clear running. Near the 200 Metres, KEEN SPIRIT was steadied and shifted in when disappointed for running between NATURAL ECHO and SUPER POWER. At the 300 Metres, LAZY BUDDIES, which was commencing to close the race off, was steadied and shifted out to obtain clear running. After the 200 Metres, FRAMES DEPOT was steadied away from the heels of DASHING FLAIR which in the Home Straight hung in. For the major part of the race, CHINSOLA travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, B Doyle (PACIFIC ALLIANCE) said he had been advised the horse can race greenly and because of this it had been decided to change the gear in which the horse was to carry in today’s race. He said he had been told to ride PACIFIC ALLIANCE quietly and save the horse for as long as possible before making its finishing run which should be made between horses. He said he had also been told if PACIFIC ALLIANCE was shifted to the outside in the early part of the Straight, it would quicken, however, then would likely fail to finish the race off. He said because of the instructions he was issued, rather than shifting PACIFIC ALLIANCE to the outside of the field on straightening, he elected to shift in and ride his mount along hands and heels. He said PACIFIC ALLIANCE improved its way between runners, however, over the final 200 Metres was inclined to hang in towards the heels of ROCKALOT which was drifting out slightly. He said because of this he was placed at a slight disadvantage in riding his mount out. He said PACIFIC ALLIANCE closed the race off well today and in his opinion the horse’s performance was better than its recent starts. FRAMES DEPOT was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of FRAMES DEPOT after the race did not show any significant findings. CHINSOLA and ROCKALOT were sent for sampling. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on HAPPY HEROES at the request of Trainer C W Chang. The Veterinary Officer said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY HEROES will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.