02/12/2012  Shatin  Race 3

G Mossé was fined the sum of $2,000 for being late to arrive at the Parade Ring prior to the running of this race. As the start was effected, BOSAMBO, which was fractious in the stalls, lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. From a wide barrier, HANDSOME BATCHELOR was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, CHATER D’CAT got its head on the side, shifted in away from APPROVE and in doing so bumped PRINCE OF SUNSHINE which became unbalanced. Near the 1300 Metres, WINNING INSTINCT got its head on the side and lost ground after shifting out towards the heels of YOUNG HERO. Rounding the Home Turn, PRINCE OF SUNSHINE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BERNARD’S CHOICE when being shifted out to obtain clear running. BOSAMBO, which was following, became awkwardly placed close to the heels of PRINCE OF SUNSHINE as a consequence. Approaching the 100 Metres, CHATER D’CAT shifted out under pressure, resulting in THE ONLY KID being taken wider. D Whyte (WINNING INSTINCT) reported that on jumping his saddle shifted back, placing him at a significant disadvantage for the remainder of the race. When questioned, Z Purton stated that at no stage of the race did APPROVE travel well and he was required to constantly ride the horse along to maintain its position. He said he placed the horse under significant pressure after the 600 Metres, however, APPROVE did not respond to his riding and made the Home Turn awkwardly after becoming unbalanced. He said because of the manner in which APPROVE had travelled during the race and the manner in which it felt rounding the Home Turn, he eased the horse down in the Straight. He added that, in his opinion, the performance could be attributed to the All Weather surface and he recommended to connections that they revert to racing APPROVE on turf track if possible in future. A veterinary inspection of APPROVE after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that PRINCE OF SUNSHINE had lost its left hind plate. A veterinary inspection of CITY DELIGHT after the race did not show any significant findings. BOSAMBO, CHATER D’CAT and PRINCE OF SUNSHINE were sent for sampling.