05/06/2011  Shatin  Race 6

VIGOR DELIGHT began very awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in FLYING CHINA being hampered. ENDLESS LUCK shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of CHATER D’CAT and then throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. Rounding the Home Turn, JIMSON THE BEST and BUSINESS AS USUAL made contact and became unbalanced as a result of JIMSON THE BEST attempting to shift to the outside of NEEDLES AND THREAD. After being unable to shift out, JIMSON THE BEST was then held up behind NEEDLES AND THREAD until after the 200 Metres. BUCCANEER had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. When questioned, T Angland stated that he had been instructed to obtain a position in about midfield if possible on JIMSON THE BEST which was drawn the outside barrier. He said that shortly after the start he ascertained that there were a number of horses maintaining their positions to his inside and he did not believe it would be possible for JIMSON THE BEST to obtain a position in or around midfield without being very wide. He said for this reason he shifted JIMSON THE BEST across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the fence. When questioned, D Beadman stated that he had been instructed to take up a forward position on BUSINESS AS USUAL from gate 11 as the horse had been performing well recently when ridden in a forward position. He said after being loaded, BUSINESS AS USUAL became fractious and as the start was effected was sitting back in its barrier. He said BUSINESS AS USUAL then began awkwardly, was slow to begin and shortly after the start was crowded for room between LOVE LOCKDOWN and JUST FANTASTIC which shifted out. He said because of these factors he made a decision passing the winning post on the first occasion when racing wide to shift across behind runners rather than continue to race unnecessarily wide or having to make considerable use of BUSINESS AS USUAL in an attempt to take up a forward position as instructed. He added BUSINESS AS USUAL therefore raced much further back in the field than had been intended. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LOVE LOCKDOWN, M Chadwick stated that he was obliged to make some use of the horse in the early stages to obtain a forward position from barrier 12. He said the amount of work it had to do in the early stages together with the step-up in distance to 1650 Metres today for the first time were the principal reasons for the horse’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of LOVE LOCKDOWN after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of LOVE LOCKDOWN, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LOVE LOCKDOWN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of FLYING CHINA, H W Lai stated that after being checked at the start, he had to make considerable use of the horse in an attempt to take up a closer position to the back of the field. He said FLYING CHINA travelled only fairly throughout the race and in the Straight finished off the race one-paced. A veterinary inspection of FLYING CHINA after the race did not show any significant findings. JUST FANTASTIC and VIGOR DELIGHT were sent for sampling. <7/6/2011 Additional Veterinary Report> FLYING CHINA, which performed poorly, was examined by the Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison. He said at that time there were no significant findings. FLYING CHINA was again examined by the Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison at the stables of Trainer Y O Wong yesterday morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, FLYING CHINA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.