20/02/2011  Shatin  Race 3

On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie worn by BIG CHIEF was refitted. KING OF GLASS was slow to begin. BIG CHIEF began awkwardly and then in the early stages proved very difficult to settle. At the 1200 Metres, SAMMY’S FALCON was momentarily crowded for room between SUPER GENTLEMAN and JUST GOOD (Apprentice M L Yeung) which improved to be racing to the inside of the heels of I SMELL MONEY which at this time was shifting in. Apprentice Yeung was advised to ensure that there is sufficient room available to him when improving his position. Passing the 800 Metres, SAMMY’S FALCON was checked away from the heels of SUPER GENTLEMAN and became badly unbalanced when that horse shifted out and was checked away from the heels of SUPREME KNIGHT. In this incident, BIG CHIEF, which was racing to the inside of SAMMY’S FALCON, was crowded for room and MEGA CASTLE, which was following, shifted out away from the heels of SAMMY’S FALCON, resulting in AMBITIOUS OWNER being taken wider. Passing the 600 Metres, SAMMY’S FALCON was steadied away from the heels of SUPER GENTLEMAN which shifted out. Over the concluding stages, AMBITIOUS TREASURE got its head on the side, shifted out and bumped I SMELL MONEY. Because of this, I SMELL MONEY was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. When questioned, O Doleuze stated that from barrier 12 he had been instructed to take BUDDY BUDDIES across behind runners as at its only other race start the horse had shifted out abruptly across heels and was severely checked. He said therefore it was felt that BUDDY BUDDIES’ interests would best be served by not being wide making the first turn. He said after shifting across behind runners BUDDY BUDDIES, passing the 1200 Metres, got its head up and proved difficult to settle when being steadied away from the heels of AMBITIOUS TREASURE. He said BUDDY BUDDIES continued to race greenly for some distance after this. He added that passing the 600 Metres he commenced to ride his mount along to improve his position when BIG CHIEF, which had been racing in advance of BUDDY BUDDIES, shifted out. He said shortly after entering into the Straight he improved into a run between AMBITIOUS TREASURE which at this time was shifted out and BIG CHIEF and hoped to obtain a run between those horses. He said when clear running did not eventuate for BUDDY BUDDIES in the early part of the Straight when positioned behind SPANDAU BALLET, he shifted his mount to the inside of AMBITIOUS TREASURE passing the 350 Metres to improve. He said BUDDY BUDDIES responded well to his riding and passing the 200 Metres he positioned BUDDY BUDDIES to take a run between KIMBER FORTUNE and SUPREME KNIGHT. He added however that AMBITIOUS TREASURE shifted in to obtain this run, therefore he was obliged to shift in further to continue improving his position. O Doleuze was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have switched to the inside of AMBITIOUS TREASURE sooner than he did on this occasion. He was further advised to ensure that he avails himself of opportunities as they present themselves. FOREST STAR and SUPREME KNIGHT were sent for sampling.