17/02/2013  Shatin  Race 5

AFRICA LIGHT shifted in at the start and bumped PUBLIC FIGURE. After the 1200 Metres, DARS AUTO was left racing wide and without cover. For some distance approaching and passing the 1000 Metres, ALL BOUNTIFUL proved difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DANZULU. When questioned, B Prebble stated that he had not been under any firm instructions on how SURROUNDED should be ridden, however, from a better draw, it was anticipated that the horse would be able to be ridden in a more forward position than had been the case from wide draws. He said SURROUNDED can prove difficult to handle and for this reason he did not ride it along out of the barriers but rather allowed the horse to travel into a position where it was comfortable. He said approaching the 1600 Metres SURROUNDED commenced to prove difficult to settle and improved into the lead of its own accord. He said he attempted to restrain SURROUNDED, however, the horse continued to over-race and would not settle and because of this was not able to finish off the race. He added in the Straight SURROUNDED got its head on the side and lay in but was a beaten horse by the 300 Metres. He said with the blinkers applied, SURROUNDED has proved difficult to settle in its last two races and because of this he recommended to the connections of the horse that they strongly consider removing blinkers from the horse’s gear in its future races. A veterinary inspection of SURROUNDED after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that AFRICA LIGHT had sustained superficial wounds to the left hind cannon and hock. A veterinary inspection of APPROVE after the race did not show any significant findings. DARS AUTO and FULL VALUE were sent for sampling.