14/11/2012  Shatin  Race 1

ICE FIRE and PLANET bumped at the start. PASSIONATE was slow to muster pace. When being steadied with a view to being taken across behind runners, FANTASTISCH got its head up on a number of occasions shortly after the start. After being held up for clear running, PLOT RATIO was shifted to the outside of FIRST CLASS near the 200 Metres when that horse gave ground. Near the 150 Metres, PLOT RATIO got its head on the side and shifted in, resulting in its rider having to stop riding and straighten his mount. Inside the 50 Metres, SADDLERS LODGE, which was closing off the race fairly, was shifted to the outside of the heels of DASHING ACE to continue improving. For the major part of the race, HERO’S WIN travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, H W Lai stated that he had been instructed to ride PLOT RATIO in about a midfield position as the pace was expected to be good. He said he rode PLOT RATIO along vigorously in the early stages to obtain a midfield position and shortly after the start he felt that PLOT RATIO was travelling well enough to obtain the position behind FIRST CLASS, therefore he stopped riding his mount along as he felt that PLOT RATIO’s position had been established. He said however that when he did this, PLOT RATIO did not maintain its momentum and commenced to give ground. He said for this reason a short distance later he immediately recommenced riding PLOT RATIO along in an endeavour to hold its position inside WINNER SMART, however, despite being ridden along, PLOT RATIO was not able to maintain its position inside that horse and consequently raced further back tonight than had been anticipated. A veterinary inspection of HERO’S WIN after the race did not show any significant findings. DASHING ACE, FIERY RAIDER and WINNER SMART were sent for sampling.