10/03/2013  Shatin  Race 7

As the start was effected, CHEER reared and consequently lost ground. Before being allowed to race again, CHEER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. Near the 1500 Metres, VOILE ROUGE shifted in of its own accord, brushed the running rail and consequently became very unbalanced. Passing the 900 Metres, VOILE ROUGE, which was reluctant to maintain its position inside SHINY DAY (T H So), was checked and lost ground when momentarily racing in restricted room inside that horse which shifted in marginally. VICTORY MASTER, which was following, was severely checked away from the heels of VOILE ROUGE in consequence, resulting in BACKBENCH BLUES being badly hampered and taken out onto ALBICELESTE which became unbalanced and in turn shifted out, resulting in FAMILISTS being taken wider. OUTDOOR PEGASUS, which was following, was hampered in consequence and shifted out, resulting in SCARLET CAMELLIA also being hampered. As the shift from SHINY DAY was not a great one and having regard to the manner in which VOILE ROUGE did not maintain its position, no further action was taken, however, T H So was advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances. After this, VOILE ROUGE continued to lay out and race with its head on the side. At the entrance to the Straight, CHEER was bumped and taken wider by OUTDOOR PEGASUS which shifted out to obtain clear running. Passing the 300 Metres, VICTORY MASTER was awkwardly placed outside the heels of ENABLING which was taken out by SHINY DAY. Throughout the race, FAMILISTS travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. The performance of BACKBENCH BLUES, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BACKBENCH BLUES will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, W C Marwing (ALBICELESTE) stated that as it was anticipated that there would be good pace in today’s race, he was asked to ride the horse in 3rd or 4th position behind the leaders if possible. He said ALBICELESTE began only fairly and he was obliged to ride the horse along in the early stages to obtain a forward position as instructed. He said after having to be ridden along, ALBICELESTE was able to obtain a three wide position but with cover behind ENABLING. He said however that this resulted in ALBICELESTE racing slightly further back than had been intended. He said his mount travelled satisfactorily until approaching the 800 Metres at which time it received a heavy bump from BACKBENCH BLUES on its inside. He said this resulted in ALBICELESTE becoming badly unbalanced when taken out onto FAMILISTS. He added that ALBICELESTE remained unbalanced for some distance, then made the Home Turn awkwardly and despite his efforts he was not able to rebalance his mount. He said he continued to ride the horse out in the Straight hands and heels as it was well beaten at this time, however, ALBICELESTE did not make up any ground in the run to the line. He said he looked down at his horse passing the 300 Metres to make sure that it was sound, however, both in the Straight and after the race he was not able to detect any lameness with ALBICELESTE. Jockey Marwing advised that, in his opinion, today’s disappointing run could be directly attributable to the interference it received near the 800 Metres. Trainer J Moore stated that ALBICELESTE had pleased him in the lead up to today’s race and based on its track work he believed the horse to be a strong chance. Mr Moore concurred with the view of Jockey Marwing that the horse’s performance was attributable to the significant bump it received approaching the 800 Metres. He added that should ALBICELESTE come out today’s race well, it is his intention to back up the horse in next week’s BMW Hong Kong Derby. A veterinary inspection of ALBICELESTE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FAMILISTS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SCARLET CAMELLIA, ALBICELESTE, REAL SUPREME and BEAUTY TOUCH were sent for sampling.