20/04/2013  Shatin  Race 4

NATURAL CHAMPION, which was leaning on the outside of its stall, began awkwardly. From a wide barrier, MAN AND MING was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, PLAIN RED BANNER was bumped by T-BOLT which shifted out. Also shortly after the start, FIERY RAIDER was taken across behind runners. PLAIN RED BANNER was held up for clear running approaching the 400 Metres. Passing the 400 Metres, CITY DELIGHT shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of MR GNOCCHI, causing both horses to become unbalanced. A short distance later, CITY DELIGHT was checked when crowded for room between MR GNOCCHI and PLAIN RED BANNER (C K Tong) which shifted out. C K Tong was reprimanded. Passing the 200 Metres, MAN AND MING was shifted to the inside of PLAIN RED BANNER to obtain clear running. Throughout the race, CITY DELIGHT travelled wide and without cover. The performance of FLYING SUPREME, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FLYING SUPREME 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, T Angland stated that, as usual, he had been asked to ride DOUBLE DRAGON positively and obtain a position on the speed. He said, from barrier 12, DOUBLE DRAGON began awkwardly and then despite being ridden along did not muster speed. He said it became apparent to him shortly after the start that the tempo of the race in the early stages was solid and that he would have to make too much use of DOUBLE DRAGON if he continued to push forward as instructed. He said therefore passing the 1300 Metres he elected to shift across behind runners and obtain a position with cover. He added he was only able to obtain cover behind FLYING SUPREME and when that horse commenced to give ground after the 700 Metres, he was taken back through the field. He said he was reluctant to shift to the outside of FLYING SUPREME at this time as that would have put him in a position four wide and without cover and therefore he elected to remain racing behind that horse until after the 600 Metres. He said because of the circumstances of the race DOUBLE DRAGON raced much further back in the field than had been intended. When questioned, D Whyte stated that he had been asked to ride FOREVER AHEAD quietly as had been the case at its most recent starts when the horse had drawn wide barriers. He said it was felt that FOREVER AHEAD does not appreciate being bustled in the early stages and had in the past shown that it finished off its races strongly when ridden quietly in the early stages. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of T-BOLT, O Doleuze stated that in the early stages he had to fight with the horse to get it to shift across to race on the rail. He said T-BOLT had previously shown an inclination to hang out both in its races and track work and this was again the case today. He said after being able to shift T-BOLT onto the rail passing the 1200 Metres, the horse continued to have its head on the side and lay out. He said making the turn near the 850 Metres T-BOLT again shifted out and bumped PLAIN RED BANNER to its outside. He added T-BOLT then travelled only fairly but was particularly disappointing in that when placed under pressure it did not respond to his riding and weakened over the final 200 Metres. A veterinary inspection of T-BOLT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MR GNOCCHI and FOREVER AHEAD were sent for sampling.