12/05/2012  Shatin  Race 6

BOSAMBO, which was fractious in the barriers, put its head down just prior to the start being effected and then bounded in the air as the gates were released. Because of this, BOSAMBO lost a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, BOSAMBO will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. GLOBAL FAME knuckled over on jumping. CHEERFUL DOUBLE began awkwardly, then shifted out and bumped WINNER SMART. Shortly after the start, CLEMENT SPIRIT was bumped by GLOBAL FAME which shifted in. From the outside barrier, BURGUNDY MAC was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after entering the Straight, BOSAMBO was shifted away from the heels of EKRAAR EMPEROR after being momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. Near the 300 Metres, T H So (GOLD TARTINI) dropped his whip. In the Straight, GOLD TARTINI got its head on the side and lay in. When questioned regarding the improved performance of GOLD TARTINI, Trainer D J Hall stated that the horse’s forward showing today was not anticipated. He said in its only four starts in Hong Kong, the horse had only run average races and he was of the opinion prior to today that GOLD TARTINI would require more time to strengthen up. He said the horse is a relatively light horse and is immature. He said apart from the fact that GOLD TARTINI was able to take up a midfield position due to the circumstances of the race whereas at its most recent starts the horse had to be shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier, there were no other factors which led to today’s improved performance. He added that he had not altered the work of GOLD TARTINI between its recent races and that this work, in his opinion, was only fair. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CHEERFUL DOUBLE, Apprentice K C Ng stated that after being asked to have the horse in a midfield position, he was obliged to ride it along for some distance after the start in an attempt to obtain the position as instructed, however, despite being vigorously ridden along CHEERFUL DOUBLE did not show any early speed and for this reason was obliged to race towards the rear of the field. He said CHEERFUL DOUBLE did not travel well in the early stages and only commenced to travel better making the turn after the 900 Metres. He said he placed his mount under pressure prior to the Home Turn and when being ridden along CHEERFUL DOUBLE got its head up and was reluctant to stretch out. He added CHEERFUL DOUBLE did not finish off today’s race as it had done at its previous starts, particularly at its last two starts when successful. He said he had ridden CHEERFUL DOUBLE in the lead up to today’s race and, in his opinion, this work had been similar to its work leading up to its previous starts. Mr C H Yip, the trainer of CHEERFUL DOUBLE, stated that the horse had worked in a similar manner in the lead up to today’s race as it had prior to its two most recent successes. He said based on this work, a forward showing had been anticipated today. He said the only explanation he could find for the disappointing performance was that its success on 9 April 2012 was achieved in Class 5 whilst its most recent success was on a yielding track which may have benefitted CHEERFUL DOUBLE. He added the horse had risen significantly in the handicap as a result of these two wins and this may also provide some explanation for the horse’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of CHEERFUL DOUBLE after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of CHEERFUL DOUBLE, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CHEERFUL DOUBLE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of EKRAAR EMPEROR after the race did not show any significant findings. FERRABOSCO, GOLD TARTINI and BLOSSOM DAILY were sent for sampling.