21/03/2012  Shatin  Race 5

POCKET ROCKETS was slow to begin. Approaching the 400 Metres, POCKET ROCKETS was shifted out when disappointed for running between JUMBO GOLD and IMPERIAL ROME. XI YING MEN was unable to obtain clear running in the Straight until over the concluding stages. Because of this, XI YING MEN was not properly tested. Throughout the race, PAGANINI’S SOUL and FAIR NAVIGATOR travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice K C Ng (CITY POWER) stated that he had been instructed to obtain a position in midfield or slightly in front of midfield if possible. He said he rode his mount along in the early stages but shortly after the start was left racing outside GREEN ZONE in a wide position. He said he felt that had he have continued to ride forward, CITY POWER would have been left racing wide and for this reason, near the 1000 Metres, he steadied CITY POWER with a view to obtaining a position with cover behind PAGANINI’S SOUL which was racing behind GREEN ZONE. He said when attempting to obtain cover behind PAGANINI’S SOUL, CITY POWER commenced to give ground and therefore he rode the horse along in an endeavour to have it maintain its position. He said however despite being ridden along, CITY POWER continued to lose ground and making the turn after the 700 Metres got its head on the side, hung out and lost further ground. He said this resulted in CITY POWER racing much further back in the field than had been intended. He added in the Straight he shifted CITY POWER to the outside of runners and the horse closed off the race well. K C Ng was advised, wherever possible, to make every endeavour to have his mounts maintain their positions. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SKY MASCOT, T Clark stated that although he had to ride his mount along, from the outside barrier, to obtain a forward position as instructed, SKY MASCOT showed good early speed and was able to shift across to race outside the leader, HAWTHORNE making the first turn without having to have too much use made of it. He said after settling outside the leader, SKY MASCOT travelled well and gave him the impression that it would be able to finish off the race. He said however that GREEN ZONE improved its position around SKY MASCOT rounding the Home Turn and SKY MASCOT, despite being ridden along, immediately came under pressure to hold its position. He said after this SKY MASCOT was disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground despite being ridden along. A veterinary inspection of SKY MASCOT after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, SKY MASCOT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of PAGANINI’S SOUL after the race revealed that the horse had bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of POCKET ROCKETS after the race did not show any significant findings. REGENCY LUCK and GREEN ZONE were sent for sampling.