27/11/2011  Shatin  Race 4

MAN OF THE MATCH was slow to begin. SUN DRAGON shifted out at the start and bumped LIFE OF BEAUTY which became unbalanced. A short distance later, LIFE OF BEAUTY and DREAMS MAKER were crowded for room between SUN DRAGON and ROCK’N TYPHOON which shifted in after being bumped by SUPER TEAM. From a wide barrier, BREEZE OF LUCK was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. When being steadied after the 1200 Metres, PERPETUAL KINGDOM proved difficult to settle. Near the 850 Metres, SUN DRAGON got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of DREAMS MAKER. Approaching the 300 Metres, DISPATCHER, which was attempting to obtain clear running between MAN OF THE MATCH and TELECOM TOP STAR (N Callan), was taken in across the rightful running of MAN OF THE MATCH which had to be checked as a result of TELECOM TOP STAR shifting in under pressure. As the Stewards were of the belief that TELECOM TOP STAR had commenced to shift ground prior to DISPATCHER attempting to obtain running between that horse and MAN OF THE MATCH and therefore as they could not be satisfied that DISPATCHER had properly established clear running to the inside of TELECOM TOP STAR, no further action was taken other than N Callan was severely reprimanded and advised that, in similar circumstances, he must make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. Throughout the race, PURE FORCE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, D Whyte stated that, from barrier 13, he had been instructed to ride DISPATCHER quietly and to shift it across behind runners shortly after the start. He said it had been felt that whilst DISPATCHER had been racing well, nonetheless the connections had been disappointed in its failure to finish off its races strongly on occasions after being ridden in a forward position. He said in these races DISPATCHER had travelled well, however, after being placed under pressure had finished off only one-paced. He added that in three official barrier trials prior to being withdrawn from its intended race on 5 November 2011, DISPATCHER had been ridden quietly and had finished off the trials well. He said in one of these trials, DISPATCHER was taken to Happy Valley to be ridden quietly off a stronger pace to ascertain whether it would finish off its race better if ridden more quietly. He said for this reason it was intended for DISPATCHER to be ridden off the speed at its intended race start on 5 November 2011. He said following being withdrawn on 5 November 2011, the horse trialed again on 18 November 2011 and on this occasion DISPATCHER was again ridden from off the speed. He added that today after settling back in the field, he elected to shift out to follow BOLD TACK in the early part of the Straight, however that horse was not responding as well as he had hoped and as PURE FORCE, which was racing to that horse’s outside, was giving ground, he believed it was a better option for him to shift back to the inside of TELECOM TOP STAR and obtain a run between that horse and MAN OF THE MATCH. He said when he did this, TELECOM TOP STAR shifted in which resulted in DISPATCHER being unable to properly obtain running until near the 200 Metres. He said after this DISPATCHER then raced tight inside HIGH RETURN over the concluding stages. When questioned, G Mossé stated that he had been instructed to take up a forward position on LIFE OF BEAUTY behind the leaders if possible. He said after being loaded LIFE OF BEAUTY became fractious and because of this was slow to begin. He said shortly after the start LIFE OF BEAUTY was hampered when crowded for room which resulted in it travelling further back in the field than had been intended. When questioned regarding his riding of LIFE OF BEAUTY in the Straight, G Mossé stated that he placed his mount under pressure in the early part of the Straight, however, it failed to respond to his riding. He said he continued to ride LIFE OF BEAUTY out with the whip in the right hand in the early part of the Straight, but as the horse was not responding, he put the whip away and slapped the horse down the shoulder with the whip in the right hand approaching the 250 Metres. He added that after this LIFE OF BEAUTY commenced to make some ground and for this reason he continued to slap the horse down the shoulder. He said near the 150 Metres when he became aware that LIFE OF BEAUTY was starting to improve, he commenced to ride it along more vigorously and LIFE OF BEAUTY finished off the race fairly. G Mossé was found guilty of a charge of Rule 100(2) in that he failed to ride LIFE OF BEAUTY out to the satisfaction of the Stewards. The particulars of the charge were that he failed to ride LIFE OF BEAUTY out with sufficient vigour between the 250 Metres and near the 150 Metres. In the circumstances of this case, the Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was for G Mossé to be fined the sum of $30,000. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that PURE FORCE had lost its right front plate. A veterinary inspection of SUN DRAGON after the race did not show any significant findings. BREEZE OF LUCK, MATSUKAZE and HIGH RETURN were sent for sampling.