02/02/2013  Shatin  Race 10

FLAGSHIP SHINE was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (swollen right front cannon). Before being allowed to race again, FLAGSHIP SHINE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, it was noted that ADORATION had blood in its mouth. An examination was conducted by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse had a minor wound to the lower lip but was suitable to race. MY NAME IS BOND and UWILLBEGLORIOUS were slow to begin. From wide barriers, LUCKY OMENS and SAMADHI was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After the 1200 Metres, MY NAME IS BOND commenced to prove difficult to settle, got its head up and blundered after striking the heels of POLYMER WIN. OUR MARCUS proved difficult to settle in the early stages and for some distance approaching and passing the 1000 Metres was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CITY POWER. In the middle stages and particularly rounding the Home Turn, OUR MARCUS got its head on the side and hung out. After the race, it was reported that OUR MARCUS had got its tongue over the bit during the race. Approaching and passing the 200 Metres, LUCKY OMENS raced tight inside CITY POWER when improving to the inside of that horse. Then passing the 150 Metres, LUCKY OMENS and CITY POWER momentarily raced tight inside MY NAME IS BOND which shifted in when improving. Throughout the race, TRENDY WIN travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, H W Lai stated that he had been instructed to position POLYMER WIN in about 5th position if possible, one horse off the fence with cover. He said POLYMER WIN began well and he immediately noticed that CITY POWER was being aggressively ridden to this inside. He said after initially shifting in behind that horse, he then elected to steady POLYMER WIN and obtain a position behind WINNING APEX rather than continue to race wide. He said he did give consideration to improving to race outside CITY POWER, however, he felt that at the time this would have resulted in POLYMER WIN racing further forward than had been intended. He said after committing to shifting in behind WINNING APEX, he then became aware of runners racing wide being ridden into forward positions and in retrospect he believed he should have continued forward to race outside CITY POWER, the position eventually occupied by the winner, HO IN ONE. H W Lai was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he had erred in failing to ride POLYMER WIN positively in the early stages to take up a position as instructed. He was further advised to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner that he is able to position them in accordance with his instructions wherever possible so that they are in the best positions to finish off the race. When questioned regarding his riding of WINNING APEX after the 600 Metres, T Clark stated that it was explained to him that WINNING APEX is not the most genuine horse and because of this he should attempt to give it sufficient galloping room rounding the Home Turn and in the Home Straight so that it was able to finish off the race. He said after the 700 Metres he was positioned between OUR MARCUS which was hanging out and SUPER CAGA which was racing tight to the outside of WINNING APEX. He said at this time WINNING APEX was reluctant to maintain its position despite being ridden along. He said as WINNING APEX was reluctant to maintain the position between OUR MARCUS and SUPER CAGA and having in mind his instructions to get clear galloping room on the horse, he elected to steady WINNING APEX and shift to the outside of SUPER CAGA rounding the Home Turn. He said at this time however SAMADHI improved its position which resulted in WINNING APEX being momentarily held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. He added that after obtaining clear running passing the 300 Metres, WINNING APEX then finished off the race fairly. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY OMENS after the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped. HO IN ONE and UWILLBEGLORIOUS were sent for sampling.