17/12/2011  Shatin  Race 8

THE PRINCE knuckled over on jumping. SMART KIDS began awkwardly. ALWAYS WELL was slow to begin and shortly after the start was hampered when crowded for room between VINTAGE HUSSLER and HANNIBAL BARCA which shifted out after beginning awkwardly. SUPREME TAIJI was also slow to begin and then shortly after the start raced in restricted room between FIVE CLUBS and CASTLE HERO. After the 400 Metres, SMART KIDS was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SUPREME TAIJI. For some distance after this, SMART KIDS had difficulty obtaining clear running. Near the 200 Metres, SUPREME TAIJI was steadied when disappointed for running between SUPREME JEWELLERY and XI YING MEN which got its head on the side and shifted out. After this, SUPREME TAIJI was unable to obtain clear running. At the 200 Metres, M Barzalona (CASTLE HERO) dropped his whip. Inside the 100 Metres, XI YING MEN was steadied when crowded for room between SUPREME JEWELLERY and FIVE CLUBS which was taken out by VINTAGE HUSSLER (Apprentice M L Yeung) which got its head on the side and shifted out away from SPACE RACE. Apprentice Yeung was reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he must make more effort than he did on this occasion to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by Z Purton, the rider of RED LUCKY STAR, which finished 6th, against CASTLE HERO, which finished 4th, alleging interference to his mount approaching the 100 Metres. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the official videos, the Stewards found that after being held up for clear running for some distance approaching and passing the 200 Metres, RED LUCKY STAR was directed to the outside of the heels of CASTLE HERO near the 150 Metres. It was further established that near the 100 Metres RED LUCKY STAR was checked when disappointed for running to the outside of CASTLE HERO which at this time shifted out slightly. As the Stewards were of the opinion that RED LUCKY STAR had not properly established running to the outside of CASTLE HERO at the time when that horse shifted out marginally, the protest/objection was overruled and correct weight declared on the numbers as semaphored by the Judge. SMART KIDS, which was following RED LUCKY STAR, was severely checked away from the heels of that horse and in turn shifted out, causing DANE PATROL, which was giving ground, to be checked when crowded for room. M Barzalona was advised that irrespective of the Stewards’ finding that RED LUCKY STAR had not properly established running to the outside of CASTLE HERO, in similar circumstances he would be expected to make every effort available to him to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. Over the concluding stages, RED LUCKY STAR was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CASTLE HERO. A veterinary inspection of DANE PATROL after the race did not show any significant findings. SUPREME JEWELLERY, FIVE CLUBS and VINTAGE HUSSLER were sent for sampling.