04/11/2012  Shatin  Race 5

The start was delayed when BULLISH POWER proved difficult to load. Before being allowed to race again, BULLISH POWER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. LUCKY CHOICE began awkwardly. KENSWORTH KID was slow to begin. BURGUNDY MAC was slow to begin and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of FERRABOSCO which shifted in. Over the final 200 Metres, HEI HEI POSH got its head on the side and hung out under pressure. The performance of LUCKY CHOICE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY CHOICE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, M Chadwick (BULLISH POWER) stated that he had been instructed to lead if possible, however, if the pace of the race was sufficient, he should try and obtain a position behind the leaders. He said in the early stages he shifted across to race in a forward position, however, as the pace was in his opinion satisfactory, he attempted to obtain a position behind FERRABOSCO with cover. He said approaching and passing the 1200 Metres he made repeated attempts to shift in behind FERRABOSCO, however, LUCKY CHOICE was ridden along to maintain its position to the inside of BULLISH POWER and because of this he was not able to obtain the position behind FERRABOSCO as intended. He said rather than remain racing three wide and without cover, he elected, approaching the 1100 Metres, to ride his mount along to clear FERRABOSCO and obtain a position closer to the rail. He said in order to do so, he had to make some use of BULLISH POWER as he was not clear of FERRABOSCO to shift across that horse, however, after the 800 Metres he was able to assume a position one horse off the fence. When questioned, Z Purton (CLEMENT SPIRIT) stated that he had been following HEI HEI POSH throughout the race and it appeared to him as though the horse had to be niggled at by its rider to maintain its position approaching and rounding the Home Turn. He said as he did not think that HEI HEI POSH was going to take him into the race, he elected to shift out from behind that horse in an attempt to obtain clear running. He said at the top of the Straight he continued to shift out in an attempt to find clear running to the outside of FERRABOSCO, however, CLEMENT SPIRIT was not able to do so until the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of COMPACT YARN after the race did not show any significant findings. HEI HEI POSH and SURROUNDED were sent for sampling.