23/01/2011  Shatin  Race 5

SUPER BOBO was withdrawn on 20.1.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (fever) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter KING ON EARTH. Before being allowed to race again, SUPER BOBO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When parading behind the barriers, NAMJONG FIGHTERS became fractious, resulting in its rider, M W Leung, being dislodged and the bridle fitted to the horse coming loose. NAMJONG FIGHTERS was quickly recaptured and after the bridle was refitted, the horse was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. LUCKY FOLLOW ME was slow to begin. CHANTILLY began awkwardly. AMAZING JOURNEY was crowded for room at the start between ROCKET POWER and NAMJONG FIGHTERS which shifted out. For some distance after the 1000 Metres, NAMJONG FIGHTERS proved difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MORE LUCKY. Approaching the 800 Metres, LUCKY FOLLOW ME was left racing wide and without cover. BEAUTIFUL CHOICE was unable to obtain clear running until passing the 200 Metres. Throughout the race, GOLD RUSH travelled wide and without cover and approaching the 50 Metres was steadied when crowded for room between JUN HUA and CHANTILLY (N Callan) which shifted to the inside of KING ON EARTH to obtain clear running. N Callan was advised to exercise care when shifting ground in future. When questioned regarding the improved performance of CHANTILLY, Trainer L Ho stated that at its most recent start he instructed the rider of the horse to obtain a more forward position due to CHANTILLY being drawn well in barrier 3. He said in retrospect CHANTILLY did not appreciate being ridden into a more forward position in a race which eventuated as being solidly run. He added as CHANTILLY had failed to finish off the race last start, he instructed N Callan to ride CHANTILLY more patiently from the same barrier today and, in his opinion, CHANTILLY had appreciated being ridden in this manner. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MORE LUCKY, D Beadman stated that after obtaining a good position in the early stages behind the leaders, MORE LUCKY travelled well until at the 700 Metres. He added at this stage he was obliged to ride MORE LUCKY along to maintain his position as BEAUTIFUL CHOICE was commencing to shift away from the fence. He said after this MORE LUCKY came off the bridle and he was obliged to ride the horse along rounding the Home Turn in an endeavour to continue to hold its position. He said when the field sprinted at the entrance to the Straight, MORE LUCKY was left flat-footed. He added that after placing MORE LUCKY under pressure in the early part of the Straight, the horse was briefly crowded for room near the 200 Metres when BEAUTIFUL CHOICE shifted out to obtain clear running. He said despite riding the horse out over the final 200 Metres, MORE LUCKY was most disappointing in its failure to close off the race. He said, in his opinion, MORE LUCKY may be better suited by being ridden more quietly in its races than it was today. A veterinary inspection of MORE LUCKY, AMAZING JOURNEY and SPEED RACER after the race did not show any significant findings. MORE LUCKY, CHANTILLY and KING ON EARTH were sent for sampling.