12/06/2013  Shatin  Race 10

ST YAZIN was presented in the Parade Ring without a tongue tie, part of its declared gear. The tongue tie was subsequently fitted to ST YAZIN after its arrival in the Parade Ring. Trainer T K Ng was fined $3,000 for this omission. ULTIMATE WINNERS was slow to begin. ALPHA GRAND began very awkwardly, then shifted out abruptly and in doing so made heavy contact with WINNING INSTINCT (Apprentice C Y Lui) which became badly unbalanced and shifted out, causing GRIFFINDOR to be inconvenienced. After the race, Apprentice Lui reported that it had been intended for WINNING INSTINCT to be ridden in a forward position, however, after receiving significant interference at the start, his mount would not stretch out in the early stages and because of this raced much further back in the field than had been intended. ST YAZIN and LEVEL PLAYER bumped at the start, causing both horses to become unbalanced. Approaching the 1200 Metres, after being crossed by CHANCELLOR, DR GOOD HABIT commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions as its rider attempted to restrain the horse. After the 1200 Metres, DR GOOD HABIT shifted out and bumped THE UNTOUCHABLELAD. DR GOOD HABIT then continued to prove very difficult to settle despite the efforts of its rider and approaching the 1000 Metres shifted in, resulting in CHANCELLOR becoming unbalanced when being bumped and crowded for room. After this, DR GOOD HABIT was allowed to stride forward into the lead. As this incident was solely attributable to the racing manners of DR GOOD HABIT, no further action was taken. Making the first turn after the 900 Metres, ULTIMATE WINNERS shifted out, resulting in WINNING INSTINCT being taken out towards the heels of BACKBENCH BLUES. In this incident, WINNING INSTINCT lost ground after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of BACKBENCH BLUES. After the 900 Metres, ALPHA GRAND was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 800 Metres, LEVEL PLAYER commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of ST YAZIN. PEPPERMINT, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of LEVEL PLAYER in consequence. Approaching the 600 Metres, WINNING INSTINCT raced tight between GREAT STORIES and ULTIMATE WINNERS. Near the 500 Metres, ST YAZIN was momentarily crowded for room inside PERCY JACKSON which got its head on the side and shifted in. Rounding the Home Turn, LEVEL PLAYER raced close to the heels of ST YAZIN. Near the 150 Metres, as T Berry was changing his whip into his right hand, he dropped his right rein. T Berry then had difficulty gathering up this rein over the concluding stages as ST YAZIN got its head on the side and shifted out. Because of this, ST YAZIN was not able to be properly ridden out over the concluding stages. H W Lai (THE UNTOUCHABLELAD) stated that it had been intended for the horse to be ridden in a midfield position with cover. He said THE UNTOUCHABLELAD began very well and he immediately attempted to steady the horse to obtain a position behind PERCY JACKSON. He said when that horse maintained its position to his inside, THE UNTOUCHABLELAD commenced to prove very difficult to settle and after being left racing wide and without cover after the 1400 Metres pulled very hard and consequently was obliged to race in a more forward position than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of GRIFFINDOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DR GOOD HABIT and CHANCELLOR were sent for sampling.