11/12/2011  Shatin  Race 3

BRAVE KID was slow to begin. Approaching the 1200 Metres, CHATER WAY was steadied and SAPELLI and LET ME HANDLE IT were crowded for room inside VAUGIRARD (B Prebble) which shifted in when not properly clear. B Prebble was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. In the Straight, VAUGIRARD got its head on the side and hung in and close to the finishing line was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LEADING CITY which shifted out. When questioned, J Lloyd stated that in discussions with the owner of AASHIQ and the trainer, Mr P O’Sullivan, it had been decided last start to position AASHIQ outside LEADING CITY as the horse was first up following it displaying an irregular heart rhythm at its last start of the previous season in March. He said at its first up start AASHIQ was disappointing in that it failed to close off the race when ridden outside LEADING CITY. He said it had therefore been decided today that if AASHIQ began well, he would show his intention to lead the race and it was hoped that he would be able to obtain a position on the rail without having to make too much use of AASHIQ. He said AASHIQ today began better than LEADING CITY, he therefore rode his mount along in an endeavour to clear LEADING CITY, however, the rider of LEADING CITY continued to maintain its position to the inside of AASHIQ in the early stages and for this reason he had to make more use of AASHIQ than he would have wanted. He said after obtaining the lead, he continued to allow AASHIQ to run along as the horse had run its best races when ridden in this manner. He said when held up in its races previously, AASHIQ had not finished off the race. He added although the tempo of the race in the early stages was faster than he would have hoped, this was due to the fact that he was obliged to ride forward to clear LEADING CITY. A veterinary inspection of VAUGIRARD after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of CALIFORNIA CHOICE after the race including an endoscopic examination revealed the horse to be a “roarer” which had previously been reported. CAPTAIN SWEET and LET ME HANDLE IT were sent for sampling.