01/04/2013  Shatin  Race 8

HOLMES LEGEND, which was fractious after being loaded, was slow to begin. From a wide barrier, OXFORD CHARLEY was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. When being steadied to allow PLENTIFUL to cross after the 1400 Metres, GALAXY PRANCER proved difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when racing keenly. For the majority of the race, HECO RIDER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, M L Yeung stated that he advised the connections that, in his opinion, there did not appear to be much pace in the race and having drawn wide he believed it would be in the best interests of KING’S PACT to be ridden into a forward position to overcome the wide draw. He said in a race late last season when he rode KING’S PACT, the horse raced well when ridden in a forward position over the same course and distance. He said after the connections of KING’S PACT agreed for the horse to be ridden in this manner, he rode his mount positively in the early stages and KING’S PACT was able to obtain a forward position passing the 1400 Metres. He said after this the horse travelled kindly throughout the race and finished off the race well. When questioned, C K Tong stated that he had been asked to ride PLENTIFUL in about 4th or 5th position with cover as the pattern of racing had favoured horses that were being ridden towards the front of the field. He said he had also been asked to obtain cover on PLENTIFUL if at all possible as the horse was racing over 1600 Metres today. He said in the early stages he was left racing wide and it soon became apparent to him that he would not be able to obtain cover behind the speed as he had been asked. He said approaching the 1400 Metres PLENTIFUL commenced to race keenly and for this reason, rather than remain racing wide, he allowed the horse to improve its position to be racing outside the leader, KING’S PACT. He said when left racing without cover, PLENTIFUL proved very difficult to settle, over-raced for some distance and consequently was then not able to finish off the race. After the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that HOLMES LEGEND was lame in the left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, HOLMES LEGEND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of HINYUEN PALADIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings other than the horse had lost its left hind plate. HECO RIDER, TURBO JEWELLERY and DIVINE DIYA were sent for sampling.