06/01/2013  Shatin  Race 4

FLYING ELITE, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 3.1.13 by order of the Stewards. MOBILE KING began awkwardly. ENDURING shifted out at the start and became unbalanced after making contact with ALWAYS WELL. From outside barriers, CRAIG’S PRIDE and WINNING LEGEND were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, WINNING MASCOT failed to muster speed. After the 1200 Metres, PLAIN RED BANNER got its head on the side, shifted out and as a result became awkwardly placed close to the heels of JOYFUL LUCK. PLAIN RED BANNER continued to race with its head on the side for some distance after this. SAFARI MAGIC, which was following and proving difficult to settle, shifted out when being steadied away from the heels of PLAIN RED BANNER. MY WORD was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. For the majority of the race, CHAMPION RANGER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, T Angland stated that he had been instructed to ride SAFARI MAGIC as he had at its previous start due to the horse being over the same course and distance and starting from the same barrier. He said it was felt that DOUBLE DRAGON and WINNING MASCOT, which were drawn to the inside of SAFARI MAGIC, would show speed and these horses would provide SAFARI MAGIC with the opportunity to shift across into a position behind the speed. He said today SAFARI MAGIC began only fairly and he immediately rode the horse along out of the barriers to take up a forward position as instructed. He said however that SAFARI MAGIC did not show early speed and it quickly became apparent to him that he would be left racing wide if he continued to pursue a forward position. He said for this reason he elected to shift SAFARI MAGIC across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. A veterinary inspection of SAFARI MAGIC after the race revealed that it was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being permitted to race again, SAFARI MAGIC will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that PLAIN RED BANNER had sustained a cut to the outside of the right front cannon and that MY WORD had overreached on the outside of its right front heel. SAFARI MAGIC, LUFFY and DOUBLE DRAGON were sent for sampling.