12/09/2010  Shatin  Race 9

CHAMPION MOUNT was withdrawn on 11.9.10 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind). Before being allowed to race again, CHAMPION MOUNT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GREEN CASH and SUPER GENTLEMAN bumped at the start. At the 1200 Metres, GREEN CASH was steadied away from the heels of SUPER GENTLEMAN (W M Lai) which shifted in. W M Lai was advised to ensure he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. Passing the 1000 Metres, NORTH HILL raced in restricted room between O’REILLY MAGIC which shifted in and GREEN CASH which was taken out slightly by SUPER GENTLEMAN. Passing the 350 Metres, O’REILLY MAGIC was shifted out and away from the heels of GREEN CASH which at this time shifted out after being brushed by NORTH HILL. Throughout the race, O’REILLY MAGIC travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice M L Yeung stated that he had been instructed to allow RIBOT LEGEND to use its natural speed and obtain a forward position. He said RIBOT LEGEND began well, however, after travelling a short distance was not showing the necessary speed to go forward of its own accord, therefore he commenced to ride the horse along in an endeavour to have it take up a forward position as instructed. He said despite being ridden along, RIBOT LEGEND did not improve its position and passing the 1200 Metres, rather than race wide, he elected to shift RIBOT LEGEND across behind runners to a position closer to the rail. He said for a short distance approaching the 700 Metres RIBOT LEGEND was steadied after racing in restricted room between NORTH HILL and BLESSING which shifted out and away from the heels of HORSESHOE FORTUNE. He added rounding the Home Turn he commenced to shift his mount out in an endeavour to make his run towards the outside, however, as RIBOT LEGEND was positioned inside the heels of O’REILLY MAGIC, he elected to shift across behind runners in an attempt to find clear running closer to the inside. He said he felt that he would have had to unduly restrain RIBOT LEGEND to shift out across the heels of O’REILLY MAGIC towards the outside. He said after shifting his mount back towards the inside, he was not able to obtain clear running on RIBOT LEGEND until the 200 Metres and when placed under pressure from this point onwards, RIBOT LEGEND responded well and closed off the race strongly. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SPECTACULAR AWARD, H W Lai stated that the horse, which had previously won on a “Good to Yielding” surface, travelled well in the early and middle stages, however, its condition gave out after passing the 300 Metres. A veterinary inspection of SPECTACULAR AWARD and SUPER GENTLEMAN after the race did not show any significant findings. RIBOT LEGEND, BLESSING and NORTH HILL were sent for sampling.