27/11/2011  Shatin  Race 3

SUGAR ON TOP was withdrawn on 25.11.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (fever) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter MISTER HORSE (G Mossé). Before being allowed to race again, SUGAR ON TOP will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. As the start was effected, THE KID, which had been fractious in the barriers, lifted its front feet off the ground and began awkwardly, resulting in its rider, N Callan, becoming unbalanced in the saddle. From a wide barrier, SAMMY’S FORTUNE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, HERO’S WIN made contact with the hindquarters of NEWSWIRE TOO which became unbalanced. When being steadied to obtain cover after the 1300 Metres, POLYMER POWER got its head up and proved difficult to settle. Near the 900 Metres, FAIRY BOY shifted out and lost ground when awkwardly placed close to the heels of POLYMER POWER. After the 800 Metres, GLITTERING was taken in to a three wide position by GENERAL DANROAD which shifted to the outside of GORGEOUS LIFE. After this, GLITTERING travelled wide and without cover. Approaching the 600 Metres, NEWSWIRE TOO was steadied away from the heels of DR UNION. MISTER HORSE, which was following, was hampered in consequence. After the 400 Metres, POLYMER POWER shifted out to obtain clear running and in doing so bumped SIMPLY JOY. Approaching the 200 Metres, MISTER HORSE was shifted in after being disappointed for clear running between FAIRY BOY and SAMMY’S FORTUNE which shifted out. Passing the 150 Metres, SAMMY’S FORTUNE and FAIRY BOY bumped, resulting in both horses becoming badly unbalanced. Passing the 100 Metres, FAIRY BOY was checked and SAMMY’S FORTUNE badly crowded for room between GENERAL DANROAD and GLITTERING which was taken in by SIMPLY JOY (Apprentice M L Yeung) which shifted in abruptly across the heels of POLYMER POWER. In this incident, GLITTERING was hampered and GENERAL DANROAD also shifted in after being bumped by SAMMY’S FORTUNE, resulting in MISTER HORSE being bumped when crowded for room. Apprentice Yeung was advised that whilst his mount had been largely responsible for this incident, nonetheless he should, wherever circumstances permit, do his utmost to prevent his mounts shifting ground. Close to the line, MUSTANG and GORGEOUS LIFE raced tight. The performance of THE KID, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, THE KID will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Throughout the race, INDUSTRIAL LEGEND travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Z Purton stated that due to having drawn barrier 2 and the anticipated slow tempo, he was asked to have GENERAL DANROAD positioned behind the leaders if possible. He said GENERAL DANROAD began very well which resulted in the horse leading in the early stages until it was able to be crossed by GORGEOUS LIFE. He said after being crossed by GORGEOUS LIFE, the tempo of the race slowed somewhat which resulted in GENERAL DANROAD proving difficult to settle. When questioned regarding his riding of HERO’S WIN rounding the Home Turn and in the Straight, Y T Cheng stated that passing the 600 Metres he was following INDUSTRIAL LEGEND. He said rounding the Home Turn he had the opportunity to shift to the outside of that horse, however, as he thought that INDUSTRIAL LEGEND would be taken wider by NEWSWIRE TOO, he elected to shift to the inside of INDUSTRIAL LEGEND and follow NEWSWIRE TOO through rather than being taken unnecessarily wide. He said after obtaining clear running shortly after entering into the Straight, HERO’S WIN commenced to close off the race well, however, near the 200 Metres was held up for clear running behind DR UNION and inside NEWSWIRE TOO. He added that after this HERO’S WIN raced in restricted room between initially SIMPLY JOY to its inside and NEWSWIRE TOO to its outside and later between POLYMER POWER and NEWSWIRE TOO. He said because of this he was not able to fully test HERO’S WIN in the run to the line. Y T Cheng was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he had erred in electing not to shift to the outside of INDUSTRIAL LEGEND rounding the Home Turn as this would have afforded the horse clear and uninterrupted running in the Straight. He was advised to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner in the future so as to ensure that, wherever possible, they are afforded the opportunity of clear running. A veterinary inspection of FAIRY BOY and THE KID after the race did not show any significant findings. DR UNION and POLYMER POWER were sent for sampling.