01/10/2013  Shatin  Race 9

VITAL GOLD, which was leaning on the inside of its stall as the start was effected, was slow to begin. WHY NOT lost its right front plate near the 1500 Metres. For a short distance after the 1200 Metres, SCARLET CAMELLIA raced in restricted room between VICTOR DELIGHT and BUBBLE CHIC. Approaching the 900 Metres, HEAVENISARACEHORSE was severely checked when crowded for room between SCARLET CAMELLIA and WHY NOT which shifted out away from the heels of TURBO JEWELLERY when proving very difficult to settle. BUBBLE CHIC, which was following HEAVENISARACEHORSE, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence. In this incident, SCARLET CAMELLIA became badly unbalanced after being heavily bumped on the hindquarters by HEAVENISARACEHORSE. After this, WHY NOT and SCARLET CAMELLIA were left racing wide and without cover. For some distance rounding the Home Turn and at the entrance to the Straight, WHY NOT raced in restricted room between TURBO JEWELLERY and SCARLET CAMELLIA. Passing the 200 Metres, VITAL GOLD shifted in when being ridden along and for this reason its rider, O Doleuze, changed his whip into his right hand. Approaching the 150 Metres, GENKI TWINS was momentarily awkwardly placed behind VICTOR DELIGHT and inside BUBBLE CHIC. Over the concluding stages, BUBBLE CHIC was awkwardly placed outside VICTOR DELIGHT and close to the heels of VITAL GOLD which was continuing to lay in under pressure. Because of this, BUBBLE CHIC was not able to be ridden out over about the final 50 Metres. AUTUMN GOLD was not able to obtain clear running at any stage in the Straight and consequently was not able to be tested. When questioned, C O’Donoghue stated that, from barrier 6, he had been asked to ride VICTORY MASTER in about a midfield position. He said in the early stages he shifted across to race behind VICTOR DELIGHT before continuing in to race in a position closer to the rail behind GENKI TWINS. He said when the pace of the race steadied, VICTORY MASTER was left racing further back in the field after GENKI TWINS and VICTOR DELIGHT lost their positions when runners improved around those horses. A veterinary inspection of WHY NOT and TURBO JEWELLERY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VITAL GOLD, SHINY DAY and BEAUTY LEAD were sent for sampling.