01/07/2012  Shatin  Race 7

SUN AND FIRE and HAPPY FRIENDS were slow to begin. For some distance approaching the 1200 Metres, JOLLY VICTOR proved difficult to settle and got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GREEN EAGLE (M Du Plessis) which, after initially being clear to cross, was then steadied by its rider. M Du Plessis was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. In this incident, JOLLY VICTORY shifted in and bumped HAPPY FRIENDS which became unbalanced. Near the 900 Metres, JOYFUL WINNER II got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of JOLLY VICTOR. JOYFUL WINNER II had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Near the 150 Metres, LUCKY CHEVALIER and HOLYANGELHOLY raced tight as LUCKY CHEVALIER was taken out slightly by COOL BEAN which got its head on the side and shifted out under pressure. Throughout the race, NO TIES travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, T Clark stated that he had been instructed to try and obtain a forward position on MAELSTROM, however, he was not to rush the horse along in the early stages. He said it was felt that at its most recent start too much use had been made of MAELSTROM to cross runners to its inside and for this reason the horse had not been able to finish off its race. He said it was felt that MAELSTROM would have sufficient natural speed to be able to cross runners and obtain a forward position without having to be ridden along, however, he was advised that if MAELSTROM was not able to lead, it would be acceptable to position that horse just behind the speed. He said in accordance with his instructions, he did not ride MAELSTROM along in the early stages but rather allowed that horse to take up a forward position if it was able to. He said he noticed that GREEN EAGLE and CLASSIC FIGURE showed more speed than MAELSTROM and he felt that he would have had to ride MAELSTROM along in the early stages if he were to attempt to cross those horses, therefore he elected to attempt to obtain a position behind the speed. He said however that a number of horses were positioned to his inside and he made the decision to steady MAELSTROM and obtained a position with cover rather than be caught wide. He said this resulted in MAELSTROM being ridden further back in the field than had been intended. T Clark added that, irrespective of this, MAELSTROM came under pressure in the early part of the Straight and then did not stretch out over the concluding stages. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of HOLYANGELHOLY, D Whyte stated that his mount was left racing in a three wide position when HAPPY FRIENDS and JOLLY VICTOR maintained their positions to his inside in the early part of the race. He said HOLYANGELHOLY was left racing without cover after the 1000 Metres when COOL BEAN was able to shift in, however, HOLYANGELHOLY was travelling strongly at this time and he was not overly concerned at being left without cover. He said HOLYANGELHOLY continued to travel well until rounding the Home Turn at which time the horse got its head on the side and hung out. He said he rebalanced HOLYANGELHOLY in the early part of the Straight before placing the horse under pressure after the 400 Metres. He said HOLYANGELHOLY initially responded to his riding, however, after the 300 Metres commenced to come under pressure and was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened over the final 200 Metres. He added although HOLYANGELHOLY was obliged to race three wide and without cover due to the circumstances of today’s race, he did not put this down as a reason for the horse’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of HOLYANGELHOLY after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of HOLYANGELHOLY was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HOLYANGELHOLY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HOLYANGELHOLY, GREEN EAGLE and JOYFUL WINNER II were sent for sampling.