08/06/2013  Shatin  Race 3

VERDANE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the 400 Metres, KING HARADASUN was held up for clear running behind TRAVEL GUIDE which was commencing to come under pressure. At the entrance to the Straight, SWEET CORNER was shifted to the outside of SUMMER DASH after being disappointed for running between that horse and DILIGENT III. Passing the 200 Metres, DILIGENT III was hampered when momentarily crowded for room between DRAGON PINS which shifted out and SUMMER DASH which got its head on the side and hung in under pressure. SUMMER DASH continued to hang in for a short distance after this incident. Throughout the race, EXPECTATOR travelled wide and without cover and subsequently finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of EXPECTATOR immediately following the race revealed the horse to have bled. When questioned, Z Purton stated that, from barrier 9, he had been asked to ride SWEET CORNER more quietly and ensure that he obtained cover as at its most recent start when also beginning from a wide draw the horse had over-raced when racing outside the leader. He said on that occasion the horse had not been able to finish off the race and it was therefore imperative that he obtained cover if at all possible in today’s race. When questioned, Y T Cheng (LIFE OF BEAUTY) stated that his mount was reluctant to stretch out in the early and middle stages despite being continuously ridden along. He said after being momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of KING HARADASUN shortly after the start, he rode his mount along after the 1400 Metres to make up ground which was available behind both KING HARADASUN and VERDANE. He said LIFE OF BEAUTY would not respond to his riding and got a long way out of its ground after this point. He added he continued to ride the horse along and after the 800 Metres was obligated to ride it vigorously in an attempt to put it into the race. He added after this point LIFE OF BEAUTY continued to race out of its ground and would not improve its position. He said after being shifted out away from the heels of EXPECTATOR which was giving ground abruptly rounding the Home Turn, he commenced to ride LIFE OF BEAUTY along with the whip after the 400 Metres. He added after initially failing to respond to his riding, LIFE OF BEAUTY commenced to finish off the race passing the 250 Metres and over the concluding stages found the line strongly. He said at its most recent start when successful, LIFE OF BEAUTY had travelled well throughout the race, but he made the observation that today’s track was firmer than it was on that occasion and, in his opinion, this may have explained the reason for LIFE OF BEAUTY failing to stretch out for the majority of the race. A veterinary inspection of LIFE OF BEAUTY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LIFE OF BEAUTY, DRAGON PINS and SWEET CORNER were sent for sampling.