20/11/2011  Shatin  Race 9

From the outside barrier, AMAZING BREEDERS was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. SUPER TIGER and CLASSIC AWARDS were crowded for room at the start between GRAND DANCER and FLYING UNICORN which got it head on the side and shifted out. A short distance after the start, SUPER TIGER was again crowded for room between CLASSIC AWARDS and FLYING UNICORN which continued to shift out. When being shifted across behind runners after the 1200 Metres, PLENTIFUL proved difficult to settle. For some distance after the 700 Metres, PLENTIFUL got its head up and proved difficult to settle when awkwardly placed close to the heels of ROYAL PANACHE. Approaching the 300 Metres, CLASSIC AWARDS was shifted to the outside of FLYING UNICORN after being held up behind that horse. Then near the 200 Metres, CLASSIC AWARDS was shifted in away from the heels of DR WIN which was commencing to give ground. Near the 50 Metres, CLASSIC AWARDS was awkwardly placed outside the heels of FLYING UNICORN. Over the concluding stages, SUPER TIGER got its head on the side and shifted in. When questioned, Z Purton (PLENTIFUL) stated that rounding the Home Turn he was following ROYAL PANACHE and was positioned to the inside of FIONN’S DRAGON. He said at this time ROYAL PANACHE was travelling strongly and rather than shift directly to the outside of FIONN’S DRAGON, he elected to follow ROYAL PANACHE through given that FIONN’S DRAGON had experienced a wide run throughout the race. He said after he committed to following ROYAL PANACHE through, it became apparent to him that FIONN’S DRAGON was closing off the race better than ROYAL PANACHE, therefore he directed PLENTIFUL to the outside of FIONN’S DRAGON approaching the 350 Metres. Z Purton was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, in future he must take all the available measures to ensure that his mounts are afforded clear running at the earliest opportunity. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of FLYING UNICORN, M Guyon stated that after FLYING UNICORN shifting out abruptly at the start, he momentarily lost the use of his left stirrup iron. He said after being able to regather his iron, FLYING UNICORN obtained a good position behind the leader, DEPOSER and subsequently travelled well until rounding the Home Turn at which time it came under pressure. He added when placed under pressure in the Straight FLYING UNICORN was disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding. A veterinary inspection of FLYING UNICORN after the race did not show any significant findings other than the horse had sustained a small cut above the left hock. D Whyte (DR WIN) said that his mount became stirred up behind the barriers and when placed in the stalls was fractious. He said despite this DR WIN began well, however, in the early and middle stages he was obliged to niggle at DR WIN to hold its position outside FLYING UNICORN. He said after travelling only fairly in the run, DR WIN was then disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of DR WIN after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of ROYAL PANACHE after the race revealed the horse to be lame in the right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, ROYAL PANACHE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FLYING UNICORN, VIVA FREEDOM and ALADDIN PRINCE were sent for sampling.