09/06/2012  Shatin  Race 3

SUPREME TAIJI was slow to begin. Approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, ONE OF A KIND got its head up when proving difficult to settle. Rounding the Home Turn, SUPREME TAIJI raced in restricted room between ONE OF A KIND and LORD DRAGON which shifted out. Near the 350 Metres, SPECTACULAR AWARD, which was commencing to give ground, was momentarily crowded for room between EMPIRE CITY which initially shifted in and GREAT PEGASUS which shifted out from behind MATSUKAZE to obtain clear running. No further action was taken. Passing the 300 Metres, SPICY SIAM shifted out away from the heels of SPECTACULAR AWARD which was continuing to give ground. Approaching the 200 Metres and again over the concluding stages, SPICY SIAM got its head on the side and lay in. Throughout the race, EMPIRE CITY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, M Chadwick (EKRAAR EMPEROR) stated that he had been instructed to take up a forward position if possible. He said after EKRAAR EMPEROR began only fairly, he noticed that MATSUKAZE was being vigorously ridden along to obtain a forward position. He said at this time he had intended to allow that horse to cross and then shift across towards the rail outside that horse, however, a number of horses were positioned to his inside and he would have had to ride EKRAAR EMPEROR along and make too much use of the horse to cross those runners to his inside. He said therefore he attempted to obtain a position with cover behind SPECTACULAR AWARD after the 1200 Metres. He added that when he attempted to obtain this position, EMPIRE CITY was ridden along to maintain its position inside EKRAAR EMPEROR and he was therefore not able to cross that horse. He said he did not want to ride EKRAAR EMPEROR along at this time as he believed the horse would not be presented with the opportunity to finish off its race. He said however that this resulted in EKRAAR EMPEROR travelling wide and without cover throughout the race. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SPECTACULAR AWARD, K C Leung stated that although SPECTACULAR AWARD raced slightly more forward than had been intended due to ONE OF A KIND maintaining its position to his inside which obliged him to race outside the leader, MATSUKAZE, SPECTACULAR AWARD travelled very well until rounding the Home Turn at which time the horse immediately came under pressure. He said despite being ridden along, SPECTACULAR AWARD did not respond and weakened noticeably in the Straight. He said he had ridden the horse in its final gallop leading up to today’s race and that work, in his opinion, had been very good. He said based on that work, he expected SPECTACULAR AWARD to be a strong chance in today’s race and he was not able to offer any reason for the horse’s disappointing performance. Trainer K L Man stated that, in his opinion, SPECTACULAR AWARD was disappointing today. He did note however that the horse was up in weight as a result of its last start success, but irrespective of this, he had expected a more forward showing in today’s race. He said whilst he had been out of Hong Kong on business during the week, he had received positive reports from the stable and from Jockey K C Leung who indicated to him that SPECTACULAR AWARD would perform well today. A veterinary inspection of SPECTACULAR AWARD after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SPECTACULAR AWARD, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SPECTACULAR AWARD will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that MATSUKAZE had sustained a superficial wound to the right hind. GREAT PEGASUS and LORD DRAGON were sent for sampling. <11/6/2012 Additional Veterinary Report> The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that FAIRY’S KISS was lame in the left hind leg on the day after racing. Before being allowed to race again, FAIRY’S KISS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.