16/12/2012  Shatin  Race 8

CORPORAL JONES stood flat-footed at the start and consequently lost a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, CORPORAL JONES will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. Shortly after the start, YOU KNOW I WIN was awkwardly placed close to the heels of AGIAAL. After the 1400 Metres, AGIAAL was shifted out away from the heels of JOLLY VICTOR which itself shifted out slightly. After the 1200 Metres, HO HO LIFE shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPIRIT SOARING. Approaching the 600 Metres, HO HO LIFE lost ground when again awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPIRIT SOARING. YOU KNOW I WIN had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 300 Metres, AFRICA LIGHT was awkwardly placed outside the heels of LET’S GOAL. Near the 250 Metres, BUDDY WATSON, which was commencing to give ground, was steadied away from the heels of FUN HEROES which got its head on the side and shifted out under pressure. When questioned, Z Purton stated that he had been instructed to obtain a handy position on JOLLY VICTOR if possible but not to make use of the horse in the early stages as JOLLY VICTOR had raced well when ridden from off the speed. He said he expected that LET’S GOAL and FUN HEROES, which were drawn inside JOLLY VICTOR, would take up forward positions which would allow him to shift across behind those runners and obtain a position with cover. He said on the way to the Start JOLLY VICTOR proved difficult to manage and threw its head up on a number of occasions. He said JOLLY VICTOR began well and he immediately observed that LET’S GOAL was being ridden along to his inside to take up a forward position, therefore he steadied JOLLY VICTOR with a view to allowing LET’S GOAL to improve its position and shifting across behind that runner. He said despite LET’S GOAL being ridden along, the horse did not muster speed. He said he attempted to steady JOLLY VICTOR for some distance to obtain a position behind LET’S GOAL, however, JOLLY VICTOR proved difficult to settle and he was not able to shift the horse across behind LET’S GOAL. He added that he therefore elected to ride JOLLY VICTOR along after the 1400 Metres as he felt that he may be able to place pressure on LET’S GOAL and take that horse to the rail as there was no horse positioned to the inside of LET’S GOAL. He said after the 1200 Metres when he got into a position to attempt to dictate LET’S GOAL inwards, YOU KNOW I WIN had improved its position to the inside of LET’S GOAL and for this reason he was not able to shift in any closer than three wide and was obliged to race without cover throughout the race. When questioned, Apprentice C Y Lui (SPIRIT SOARING) stated that approaching the 800 Metres he was racing directly behind LET’S GOAL and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. He said at this time SPIRIT SOARING clipped the heels of LET’S GOAL which itself was being steadied away from the heels of GOLD-FUN. He said as he was not able to quickly restrain SPIRIT SOARING behind LET’S GOAL, he allowed the horse to shift out in an attempt to obtain a position away from LET’S GOAL. He said however at this time AFRICA LIGHT improved its position around SPIRIT SOARING and he was not able to obtain a position to the outside of LET’S GOAL. He said when disappointed for this run, SPIRIT SOARING lost ground which allowed THE FAST LANE the opportunity to shift away from the rail and obtain the position following LET’S GOAL. C Y Lui was advised to ensure that, wherever possible, he makes every effort to avail himself of advantageous positions. The Veterinary Officer reported that EASY TO RICH had lost its left front plate during the race. After the race, EASY TO RICH was found to be distressed and consequently collapsed. After receiving veterinary attention, EASY TO RICH recovered satisfactorily. As this was the second occasion on which EASY TO RICH was found to be distressed after racing, the Stewards interviewed Trainer C Fownes in respect of this matter. Mr Fownes was advised that an embargo would be placed upon EASY TO RICH until the horse is given clearance by the Department of Veterinary Regulation to resume racing. A veterinary inspection of FUN HEROES after the race did not show any significant findings. GOLD-FUN and JOLLY VICTOR were sent for sampling.