09/01/2011  Shatin  Race 8

ST DIDAR began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, WATCH WHAT HAPPENS blundered when crowded for room between FINAL ANSWER which shifted in and ROYAL PERICLES which shifted out after being bumped by OUR LUCKY BABY. Passing the 800 Metres, WATCH WHAT HAPPENS was checked away from the heels of NIGHTLIGN which at this time lost ground. When questioned regarding his riding of NIGHTLIGN, J Lloyd stated that he had been instructed to allow NIGHTLIGN, which was having its first start on the All Weather surface today, to begin but not to rush the horse in the early stages. He said it was hoped that he would be able to obtain a position with cover in midfield. He added it was felt that if NIGHTLIGN was ridden along in the early stages to take up a forward position, the horse may over-race and not be able to finish off the race. He said NIGHTLIGN began very well and he momentarily considered riding the horse along to take advantage of this, however, he formed the view that this would be contrary to his instructions, therefore he steadied NIGHTLIGN which allowed horses racing both to his inside and outside to take up forward positions. He said in the early stages he was racing wide beside LONDON CHINA TOWN and when he attempted to steady NIGHTLIGN to race behind that horse, AMIGO improved its position to his inside. He said after the 1000 Metres he elected to remain racing to the outside of AMIGO and behind OUR LUCKY BABY with cover, however, approaching the 800 Metres NIGHTLIGN got its head on the side and hung in across the heels of AMIGO, resulting in NIGHTLIGN being checked and losing ground. He said after this NIGHTLIGN resented the kickback, got its head on the side and hung out making the first turn. He said because of the manner in which NIGHTLIGN was racing, the horse became detached from the field in the middle stages. He said he shifted NIGHTLIGN to the extreme outside of runners making the Home Turn in order to avoid the kickback and when he did this NIGHTLIGN responded to his riding and closed off the race fairly. Trainer A Lee confirmed that he had asked J Lloyd to ride NIGHTLIGN behind the speed with cover if possible. He said at its last start the horse was inclined to over-race and for this reason he had added pacifiers to the horse’s gear in the hope that this would help NIGHTLIGN to settle. J Lloyd was advised that wherever possible he should make every attempt to ride his mounts in accordance with his instructions. A veterinary inspection of NIGHTLIGN after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that TUSCAN SPIRIT had bled from both nostrils. TRUE INTELLIGENCE, FINAL ANSWER and LONDON CHINA TOWN were sent for sampling.