03/06/2012  Shatin  Race 3

A veterinary examination of PERFECT HEDGE, which had blood at its mouth on arrival at the Start, found that horse to be suitable to race. BESPOKE MASTER, which was leaning on the outside of its gate, began awkwardly and then shortly after the start was crowded for room between TOP POWER and POSITIVE VIBRATION, both of which shifted ground. These incidents resulted in BESPOKE MASTER racing back in the field. PERFECT HEDGE shifted in at the start and bumped LITTLE RAINFOREST. Shortly after the start, K-MOOCHI was steadied away from the heels of HEARTLAND (M Du Plessis) which shifted in. M Du Plessis was advised to make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. From the outside barrier, DAPPER BOY was shifted across behind runners shortly after the start. After the 1000 Metres, DANEWIN TIGER got its head up when proving difficult to settle. For a considerable distance passing the 700 Metres, DANEWIN TIGER continued to get its head up and proved difficult to settle when awkwardly placed close to the heels of LIVERPOOL LAD. Rounding the Home Turn, DANEWIN TIGER again got its head up and became unbalanced when being checked away from the heels of LIVERPOOL LAD. A veterinary inspection of DANEWIN TIGER after the race did not show any significant findings. The racing manners of DANEWIN TIGER were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DANEWIN TIGER will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. The Stewards ruled that DANEWIN TIGER is not able to be ridden by an apprentice jockey until permission is granted by the Stewards. After the 900 Metres, HEARTLAND proved difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of REGENCY CHAMPION. After the 700 Metres, K-MOOCHI got its head on the side and hung out. After this, K-MOOCHI travelled wide and without cover. After the 600 Metres, SILVER DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of DANEWIN TIGER. Rounding the Home Turn, REGENCY CHAMPION got its head on the side and lay out. When questioned, A Suborics stated that he had been instructed to ride POSITIVE VIBRATION in about 4th or 5th position with cover if possible. He said due to the circumstances of the race in the early stages, he was not able to shift in and obtain cover, however, he had no hesitation in allowing POSITIVE VIBRATION to take up a forward position and race outside the lead as when he had ridden the horse in its track work, it had given him the impression of being more than capable of winning in this grade. He said POSITIVE VIBRATION travelled satisfactorily until rounding the Home Turn, however, when placed under pressure immediately got its head up and, despite being ridden along, weakened noticeably in the Straight. He did say that whilst POSITIVE VIBRATION was ridden more forward than its only other race start in Hong Kong when it finished off the race strongly, he did not put this down for the horse’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of POSITIVE VIBRATION after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of POSITIVE VIBRATION, which finished at the tail of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, POSITIVE VIBRATION will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. JOYFUL LUCK and DAPPER BOY were sent for sampling.