16/09/2012  Shatin  Race 8

TURIN CHAMPION dwelt at the start. GERONIMO MEADOW and WITHINMYHEART bumped at the start. CONFUCIUS ELITE began awkwardly. Making the first turn near the 700 Metres, GREEN ZONE got its head on the side and hung out towards the heels of BUNDLE OF LOVE. After the 700 Metres, CITY POWER was left racing wide and without cover. For some distance approaching and passing the 600 Metres, ALPHA GRAND was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GERONIMO MEADOW. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LUCKY GAINS, B Prebble stated that he was asked to ride the horse in a more forward position as it was felt by connections that horses racing forward were at an advantage. He said he rode his mount along in the early stages, however, LUCKY GAINS did not have sufficient speed to be in as forward a position as he had been instructed. He said although LUCKY GAINS was obliged to race three wide in the early stages, he was able to obtain cover behind CITY POWER. He said making the first turn near the 700 Metres LUCKY GAINS became unbalanced and hung out. He said he was able to shift LUCKY GAINS back in a short distance after this, however, the horse continued to remain unbalanced and was having difficulty negotiating the turns. He said in the Straight LUCKY GAINS failed to close off the race. He added that, in his opinion, LUCKY GAINS is better suited by being ridden more quietly than it was today so as to ensure that the horse is fully balanced which was not the case in today’s race. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY GAINS after the race did not show any significant findings. FIRST IN COMMAND, BUNDLE OF LOVE and ALPHA GRAND were sent for sampling.