08/02/2009  Shatin  Race 3

LUFENG FORTUNE and SMART CODE were slow to begin. Shortly after the start, ONE WEE ACORN, which had begun awkwardly, and SPEEDY GROWTH were steadied when crowded for room between KING OF SCOTS and MASTER TOWER which shifted out. Also shortly after the start, RARE TREASURE was steadied away from the heels of LUCKY RED which shifted in after making contact with SPICY FRUITY. At the 850 Metres, ONE WEE ACORN was steadied away from the heels of KING OF SCOTS which shifted out. At the 350 Metres, C W Wong (SPICY FRUITY) dropped his whip. At the 200 Metres, RARE TREASURE was checked when disappointed for running between KING OF SCOTS and REUNION which was giving ground. After the 200 Metres, ONE WEE ACORN was steadied when disappointed for running between MY MELODY and LUCKY FRUIT, which had its head on the side and shifted out. At the 150 Metres, M Chadwick (SINGLE MALT) dropped his right rein. B Prebble (BUSHWHACKER) said when the horse trialed leading into today's race, it had travelled very greenly. He said because of this after beginning well he allowed BUSHWHACKER to come back to a position with cover in the hope that the horse would travel truly. He said BUSHWHACKER travelled satisfactorily, after the 500 Metres he commenced to place his mount under pressure and the horse responded well to his riding, however, did race greenly and near the 100 Metres shifted in and bumped LUCKY FRUIT. He said after this BUSHWHACKER continued to race greenly, hung out in the run to the line and raced tight outside LUCKY FRUIT. At the conclusion of this inquiry, B Prebble was reprimanded for his demeanour and conduct during this inquiry. When questioned regarding the improved performance of SPICY FRUITY, 2nd placegetter, Trainer C H Yip was not able to offer any explanation. He said he believes SPICY FRUITY is better suited when racing over distances of further than the 1000 Metres of today’s race, however, the horse was entered for this race at the request of the owner. He said SPICY FRUITY had been advantaged by drawing a wide barrier in today's straight 1000 Metre race. He said at SPICY FRUITY's most recent start which was over 1000 Metres at Happy Valley, the horse was slow to begin and then failed to muster speed. He said as a consequence the horse performed moderately. He said in its runs prior to that race SPICY FRUITY had drawn wide barriers which required use to be made of the horse in the early stages to obtain forward positions. He said the performance of SPICY FRUITY today was a surprise to him and that the horse had not been fancied by the stable. ONE WEE ACORN, LUCKY RED and SPICY FRUITY were sent for sampling.