18/03/2012  Shatin  Race 4

Whilst in the saddling stalls, MONEY WIN WINS had its right front plate refitted. MONEY WIN WINS was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. SUNSHINE BOY was slow to begin. DIVINTY POWER began awkwardly. HAPPY CHAMPION began with its head up, shifted out and bumped QUIET CONFIDENCE which in turn was taken out onto the hindquarters of SUDDEN THUNDER which became unbalanced after beginning awkwardly. Near the 900 Metres, HAPPY BALL shifted out and bumped SHAREMA FEELING which became unbalanced. HAPPY CHAMPION, which was following HAPPY BALL, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Also near the 900 Metres, DANEWIN TIGER proved difficult to settle and got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of QUIET CONFIDENCE. DANEWIN TIGER continued to over-race and was checked away from the heels of QUIET CONFIDENCE for some distance. REAL GENERAL, which was following, shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of DANEWIN TIGER and HAPPY CHAMPION, which was following, was severely checked away from the heels of that horse and shifted out, resulting in HAPPY BALL being taken out across the heels of SHAREMA FEELING and being checked. ETERNAL FAME, which was racing to the outside of HAPPY BALL, was taken wider by that horse in consequence. Although this incident was one of some significance where a number of horses were badly hampered, as there was no rider error involved, no further action was taken. After the 800 Metres, MONEY WIN WINS was left racing wide and without cover. At the 400 Metres, QUIET CONFIDENCE became unbalanced when bumped by DIVINITY POWER which shifted out to obtain clear running. After the 300 Metres, SUDDEN THUNDER got its head on the side and shifted in, resulting in MONEY WIN WINS being inconvenienced. At the 200 Metres, REAL GENERAL was checked when disappointed for running between SILVER DRAGON and QUIET CONFIDENCE which was commencing to give ground. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that CHANCELLOR over-raced in the early stages at its most recent start. He said from barrier 9 today, he was asked to ride CHANCELLOR more quietly than is usual as it was felt that the horse may be left racing without cover and having in mind the manner in which the horse over-raced last start, it was felt that its best interests would be served by having it settle and being able to obtain cover. He said it was felt that this would result in the horse racing further back than had previously been the case. He said in accordance with his instructions he did not ride CHANCELLOR along in the early stages and shifted the horse across behind runners shortly after the start. He said CHANCELLOR settled well in today’s race and because of this was able to close off well in the Straight. When questioned, Mr Du Plessis stated that he had been asked to ride REAL GENERAL in about a midfield position if possible. He said that when REAL GENERAL had previously been ridden forward in its races, it had not finished off as the horse had not been balanced in its action after being ridden along early. He said at its most recent starts the horse had been ridden quietly due to the wide barrier and had finished off strongly. He said it was therefore felt that REAL GENERAL could be ridden in about a midfield position or slightly in front of midfield so long as the horse was racing comfortably. He said although in the early stages he had the opportunity to clear SILVER DRAGON and DIVINITY POWER to his inside and shift across to the rail, he shifted REAL GENERAL into a one-off position but did not want to shift in further as he did not want REAL GENERAL racing on the rail. He added he had ridden REAL GENERAL on a number of occasions during its racing career in Hong Kong and is of the belief the horse is better suited by an evenly run race. He said by allowing REAL GENERAL to race in a one-off position, this may have given the horse the opportunity of being able to obtain clear running in the Straight rather than having to be held up behind runners on the rail. He said however that when DANEWIN TIGER proved very difficult to settle approaching the 800 Metres, REAL GENERAL was left racing close to that horse’s heels and the circumstances of today’s race in the early and middle stages did not suit REAL GENERAL. Mr C H Yip, trainer of REAL GENERAL, confirmed that he had instructed Jockey Du Plessis to position REAL GENERAL in about midfield if possible. He did say that prior to the race he specifically advised Jockey Du Plessis to be aware of the fact that the race was being run on the A course and that if REAL GENERAL were to be positioned on the rail, this may result in the horse being held up for clear running. He said he therefore impressed upon Jockey Du Plessis the need to ensure that he positioned REAL GENERAL in such a manner so as to be able to afford the horse with clear running in the Straight if possible. A veterinary inspection of SHAREMA FEELING after the race did not show any significant findings. SUDDEN THUNDER and SILVER DRAGON were sent for sampling.