19/10/2011  Shatin  Race 5

Just prior to the start being effected, PO CHING KING became fractious and then as the gates were released lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. ST DIDAR shifted out abruptly at the start, resulting in OSVALDO and BRIGHTEXPECTATIONS being badly hampered. In the early stages, POCKET ROCKETS got its head up on a number of occasions and proved difficult to settle. ST DIDAR got its head on the side and hung out making the Home Turn. Shortly after entering the Straight, BRIGHTEXPECTATIONS was steadied away from the heels of PO CHING KING when having difficulty obtaining clear running. Then after the 200 Metres, BRIGHTEXPECTATIONS again had difficulty obtaining clear running until the concluding stages. Because of this, BRIGHTEXPECTATIONS was not able to be properly tested. SUNNY FAY was not able to obtain clear running until near the 250 Metres. Throughout the race, NICE FOLKS travelled wide and without cover. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of H W Lai (FREE AND EASY), 5th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse’s finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels to the end of the race where circumstances permit. When questioned regarding his riding of BEST WIN, C K Tong stated that he had been instructed, from barrier 11, to ride BEST WIN where it was comfortable. He said immediately on jumping BEST WIN got its head up on a number of occasions and wanted to shift out badly. He said in the early stages BEST WIN proved very difficult to settle, again got its head up on a number of occasions and continued to want to hang out with him. He said approaching the 1000 Metres he attempted to shift BEST WIN in behind ST DIDAR and obtain a position on the back of that horse, however, BEST WIN continued to prove very difficult to settle, got its head up and, in his opinion, raced intractably. He added as BEST WIN was continuing to want to shift out with him, he positioned BEST WIN across behind BRIGHTEXPECTATIONS and to the inside of that horse in an attempt to have it race more generously. He said when he did this BEST WIN relaxed and commenced to travel better. He said he commenced riding the horse along after the 500 Metres to make up ground and after this BEST WIN finished off the race strongly. He stated that BEST WIN had raced ungenerously in some of its previous races in Hong Kong. The racing manners of BEST WIN were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BEST WIN will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial around a bend. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of AMEDEO, Apprentice C Y Ho stated that after beginning well AMEDEO travelled comfortably throughout the early and middle stages, however, came under pressure near the 300 Metres and was disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding from this point. A veterinary inspection of AMEDEO after the race did not show any significant findings. ST DIDAR, WITHINMYHEART and NICE FOLKS were sent for sampling.