05/05/2013  Shatin  Race 6

BEAUTY TOUCH, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 4.5.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind). Before being allowed to race again, BEAUTY TOUCH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. RAINBOW CHIC and MR MEDICI were crowded for room at the start between WILLIE CAZALS which began awkwardly and shifted out and SCARLET CAMELLIA (T Berry) which shifted in. T Berry was advised to exercise more care in future. From the outside barrier, AUTUMN GOLD was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Near the 1400 Metres, ASHKIYR was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MR MEDICI. Near the 1000 Metres, ASHKIYR commenced to over-race and got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of MR MEDICI. In this incident, ASHKIYR shifted out away from the heels of MR MEDICI. When ASHKIYR shifted out, RAINBOW CHIC shifted away from the rail to be racing inside ASHKIYR. A short distance later, ASHKIYR and RAINBOW CHIC bumped as ASHKIYR attempted to resume its position behind MR MEDICI. At the 600 Metres, RAINBOW CHIC got its head up and raced ungenerously when close to the heels of MR MEDICI. Rounding the Home Turn, SCARLET CAMELLIA was steadied when disappointed for running between DOMINANT and MIGHTY HIGH. After this, SCARLET CAMELLIA had difficulty obtaining clear running until passing the 350 Metres. DOMINANT was badly held up and unable to obtain clear running until near the 300 Metres Approaching the 50 Metres, TAKNAM and FAY FAY bumped. Over the concluding stages, MIGHTY HIGH was steadied to avoid the heels of VICTOR DELIGHT which shifted out when tiring. When questioned, W M Lai stated that after being instructed to ride IT HAS TO BE YOU in about a midfield position or just in front of midfield if possible, he was left racing three wide and without cover passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said when the tempo of the race was slow in the middle stages, he did consider allowing IT HAS TO BE YOU to stride forward so as to obtain a position closer to the rail, however, he was mindful that the horse was attempting 2400 Metres for the first time today and felt that had he have made use of the horse to go forward, it may not see out the distance of the race. After the race, B Prebble advised that RAINBOW CHIC was making an abnormal respiratory noise. A veterinary inspection of RAINBOW CHIC immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that DOMINANT had lost its left front plate and that AUTUMN GOLD had lost its right hind plate. MIZANI, DOMINANT and WILLIE CAZALS were sent for sampling.