18/11/2012  Shatin  Race 10

Despite being ridden along in the early stages, SATIRICAL BOY took time to muster speed. Passing the 1400 Metres, PERFECT CHEERS momentarily raced tight inside CHEER which was taken in by OUTDOOR PEGASUS. Passing the 1200 Metres, PERFECT CHEERS got its head up and proved difficult to settle when briefly crowded for room between GENKI TWINS and CHEER which was steadied away from the heels of PRESIDENT LINCOLN. Approaching and passing the 1000 Metres, FUN RIDER proved difficult to settle and shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SATIRICAL BOY. After this, FUN RIDER travelled wide and without cover. After the 900 Metres, CHEER was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 700 Metres, SUPREME KNIGHT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of NAVEL ORANGE. Rounding the Home Turn, WRATH OF FIRE raced in restricted room between MR BOND and FREE JUDGEMENT. NAVEL ORANGE had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 200 Metres, CHEER and SATIRICAL BOY were hampered when taken wider by PERFECT CHEERS which got its head on the side and shifted out after initially being taken out by NAVEL ORANGE which shifted ground when obtaining clear running. CALIFORNIA DUDE was not able to obtain clear running until passing the 200 Metres. Passing the 50 Metres, GENKI TWINS was shifted in away from the heels of SUPREME KNIGHT which shifted out. Over the concluding stages, SUPREME KNIGHT and IT HAS TO BE YOU raced tight. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of PRESIDENT LINCOLN, Z Purton stated that although PRESIDENT LINCOLN finished off its race well at its most recent start when ridden more quietly, due to the anticipated lack of pace in today’s race, it had been decided to ride it in a more forward position. He said he had to make some use of PRESIDENT LINCOLN in the early stages to obtain a forward position, however, was able to shift into a position to race outside of the leader, OUTDOOR PEGASUS after the 1200 Metres. He said he allowed IT HAS TO BE YOU to cross PRESIDENT LINCOLN approaching the 800 Metres so as to obtain cover behind that horse and PRESIDENT LINCOLN then travelled well in the middle stages. He said however that PRESIDENT LINCOLN came under pressure to hold its position rounding the Home Turn and when placed under pressure in the Straight failed to finish off the race as expected. He added that although PRESIDENT LINCOLN was hampered near the 50 Metres when racing awkwardly inside the heels of CALIFORNIA DUDE, the horse was beaten at this time. He said that, in his opinion, the performance of PRESIDENT LINCOLN today could primarily be attributed to the fact that use had to be made of it in the early stages to obtain a forward position. A veterinary inspection of PRESIDENT LINCOLN after the race did not show any significant findings. T Angland pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 100(2) in that he failed to ride NAVEL ORANGE, 6th placegetter, out to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards. For this offence, T Angland was fined the sum of $20,000. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that PERFECT CHEERS had lost its right front plate. A veterinary inspection of OUTDOOR PEGASUS after the race did not show any significant findings. PRESIDENT LINCOLN, IT HAS TO BE YOU and SUPREME KNIGHT were sent for sampling.