01/10/2012  Shatin  Race 5

TOWERING STORM and SHINING TREASURES made heavy contact at the start, resulting in TOWERING STORM becoming unbalanced, shifting in and bumping KINGSTON SPARTACUS which also became unbalanced. From the outside barrier, GLOBAL FAME was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. GLOBAL FAME had difficulty obtaining clear running until after the 300 Metres. Throughout the race, STEP HIGH travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice C Y Lui (COSMO ONE) stated that he had been instructed to obtain a position behind FERRABOSCO if possible. He said in accordance with his instructions, he positioned COSMO ONE to obtain a position behind FERRABOSCO, however, his mount proved difficult to settle in the early stages and near the 1500 Metres was taken out by FERRABOSCO which shifted ground. He said COSMO ONE continued to prove somewhat difficult to settle after this, however, he was able to shift it in near the 900 Metres and obtained the position one horse off the fence behind FERRABOSCO. He said when he obtained this position, COSMO ONE was reluctant to maintain its position and despite him niggling it along, he was not able to remain racing directly behind FERRABOSCO which resulted in a margin developing between those horses. He added that after the 700 Metres he commenced to ride COSMO ONE along more vigorously to improve its position, however, at this time BREEZE OF LUCK was able to shift away from the fence in front of COSMO ONE. He added that COSMO ONE then continued to lose some ground despite being ridden along and in the Straight momentarily had difficulty obtaining clear running approaching the 200 Metres. Apprentice Lui was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have made more of an effort to remain racing behind FERRABOSCO when the opportunity first presented itself after the 900 Metres. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of KENSWORTH KID, O Doleuze stated that, from barrier 2, he was asked to ride the horse along in the early stages and obtain a position behind the speed if possible. He said he had to make some use of KENSWORTH KID in the early stages to obtain this position and then after the 1000 Metres despite him riding the horse along, it was not able to maintain its position which allowed COSMO ONE the opportunity to shift in front of KENSWORTH KID. He said after this KENSWORTH KID was reluctant to maintain its position despite being vigorously ridden along and, in his opinion, was reluctant to race inside other horses. He added that he had suggested to connections after the race that they consider riding KENSWORTH KID more quietly and if possible having it positioned outside of runners to see whether it might be able to finish off its race more genuinely. A veterinary inspection of KENSWORTH KID after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of KENSWORTH KID, a favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, KENSWORTH KID 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 Officer reported that STEP HIGH had lost its left hind plate. Also after the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that an endoscopic examination was conducted on FERRABOSCO at the request of Trainer Y S Tsui. He said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, FERRABOSCO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.. A veterinary inspection of THANKSGIVING after the race did not show any significant findings. KENSWORTH KID, BREEZE OF LUCK and MERIDIAN TREASURE were sent for sampling.