01/04/2013  Shatin  Race 7

After being loaded, MAJESTIC ANTHEM became fractious, reared and got its right front leg over the front gates and down in between the front gates. MAJESTIC ANTHEM was removed from the barrier stalls and examined by the Veterinary Officer who reported that the horse had sustained deep wounds to the inside and outside of the right front leg and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of MAJESTIC ANTHEM. Before being allowed to race again, MAJESTIC ANTHEM will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Following the withdrawal of MAJESTIC ANTHEM, the remainder of the field was removed from the barrier stalls and the start of the race was delayed. SWEET CORNER began awkwardly. From wide barriers, FLORAL MAN and FOREVER AHEAD were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After the 700 Metres, QUANTUM POWER was left racing wide and without cover. Rounding the Home Turn, DIAMOND START raced tight between TWIN TURBO and FLORAL MAN which shifted out. Shortly after entering the Straight, FLORAL MAN was hampered when racing in restricted room between MIGHTY EQUUS and MUTUAL DELIGHT which shifted out to obtain clear running. Approaching the 200 Metres, SUPER LIFELINE was awkwardly placed inside MUTUAL DELIGHT which shifted in. When questioned, C Y Ho stated that, from barrier 12, he had been instructed to ride ARCHER’S BOW quietly in the early stages and shift that horse across behind runners so as to ensure that it had cover. He said passing the 1100 Metres he was positioned behind SUPER LIFELINE and outside FLORAL MAN. He said at this time ARCHER’S BOW was travelling keenly, however, after the 1000 Metres appeared to drop the bit and was reluctant to maintain its position behind SUPER LIFELINE and between FLORAL MAN and FOREVER AHEAD. He said he niggled at ARCHER’S BOW in an attempt to have the horse maintain its position, however, ARCHER’S BOW got out of its ground at this time. He said he rode the horse along prior to the 600 Metres in an endeavour to have it improve its position and when shifted to the outside of runners in the Straight ARCHER’S BOW closed off the race well. C Y Ho was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have made more of an attempt to maintain his position behind SUPER LIFELINE, the favourite for today’s race, than he did on this occasion. He was further advised to ensure that he avails himself of advantageous positions wherever possible. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of TWIN TURBO, Z Purton stated that due to the pattern of today’s races, he had been instructed to ride the horse in a forward position if possible and accordingly he rode his mount positively out of the barriers. He said in the early stages he was left racing in a three wide position outside PRINCIPAL which remained racing one horse off the fence. He said he felt that he would have had to make too much use of TWIN TURBO to cross PRINCIPAL to his inside, therefore he elected, after the 1200 Metres, to steady TWIN TURBO and obtain a position with cover slightly further back than intended. He said after the 600 Metres he had to ride his mount along to improve his position inside QUANTUM POWER so as to prevent horses on his inside from being able to shift out, but at this time TWIN TURBO was travelling only fairly. He said he placed the horse under pressure in the Straight, however, it did not respond to his riding and, in his opinion, raced “flat”. He added that he had ridden the horse in some work in the lead up to today’s race and, in his opinion, that work was only fair. A veterinary inspection of TWIN TURBO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of LORD DRAGON and CITY DELIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PRINCIPAL and SUPER LIFELINE were sent for sampling.