24/03/2013  Shatin  Race 6

SURROUNDED began awkwardly. BUDDY WATSON and AMBASSADORSHIP bumped heavily at the start. When being steadied in the early stages to shift across behind runners, AMBASSADORSHIP got its head up on a number of occasions and proved difficult to settle. Passing the 1000 Metres, HIT A HOME RUN commenced to travel keenly and had to be steadied away from the heels of HIGHEST ACCLAIM for some distance. Near the 750 Metres, SURROUNDED momentarily raced in restricted room inside SUPERKING DRAGON. Approaching the 500 Metres, ALL BOUNTIFUL was steadied away from the heels of HIT A HOME RUN. ALL BOUNTIFUL then had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 400 Metres shifted out and bumped HONG KONG FAT which became unbalanced. After the 400 Metres, SUPERKING DRAGON was shifted out across the heels of HOLY MAC to obtain clear running. Passing the 200 Metres, SURROUNDED was shifted out away from the heels of REAL GENERAL which was commencing to give ground. When questioned, B Prebble stated that with the addition of blinkers today and the anticipated lack of pace in the race, he was asked to position HIGHEST ACCLAIM behind the leaders if possible. He said HIGHEST ACCLAIM began well and he allowed the horse to travel into a forward position and after the 1400 Metres was left racing in a three wide position outside REAL GENERAL and HIT A HOME RUN. He said as the tempo of the race at this time, in his opinion, was “sedate”, he elected to allow HIGHEST ACCLAIM to continue on into the lead rather than restraining his mount in an attempt to shift in behind REAL GENERAL, a position which at this time was occupied by RIO WILLIE. He said HIGHEST ACCLAIM was able to improve its position into the lead without having to be made use of, however, after obtaining the lead near the 1000 Metres commenced to travel keenly. He added in the Straight HIGHEST ACCLAIM finished off the race only one-paced. He did say that, in his opinion, HIGHEST ACCLAIM is still immature and will benefit from further racing. A veterinary inspection of HIGHEST ACCLAIM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, T Angland (MALAYAN PEARL) stated that, from barrier 14, he had not been under any specific instructions on how to ride the horse as the trainer of MALAYAN PEARL, Mr D Cruz, felt that there was little pace in the race and therefore it was left to him to obtain the best possible position. He said MALAYAN PEARL began well and he rode the horse positively due to the anticipated slow tempo. He said however that due to the circumstances of the race he was not able to obtain cover and approaching the 1000 Metres was left racing in a position three wide and without cover. He said MALAYAN PEARL travelled only satisfactorily throughout the run and he was not able to prevent RIO WILLIE from shifting out into a three wide position from behind REAL GENERAL near the 600 Metres which resulted in MALAYAN PEARL being left racing in a four wide position. He added MALAYAN PEARL did not appear comfortable today and in the Straight did not close off the race. He said whilst MALAYAN PEARL may have appeared disappointing in today’s race, he was of the opinion that the circumstances of the race were to the detriment of MALAYAN PEARL and he believed the horse had legitimate excuses. A veterinary inspection of, MALAYAN PEARL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that PANTHER RUN had lost its right front plate. A veterinary inspection of REAL GENERAL and HIT A HOME RUN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MALAYAN PEARL, HIT A HOME RUN, AMBASSADORSHIP and RIO WILLIE were sent for sampling.