06/10/2013  Shatin  Race 8

Whilst in the saddling stalls, DEMOKLES had its right front plate refitted. DEMOKLES was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. After being loaded into the barriers, REGENCY CHAMPION became very fractious and reared, resulting in its rider, M Chadwick, being dislodged. REGENCY CHAMPION was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Then after being reloaded, REGENCY CHAMPION again became fractious and reared. Before being allowed to race again, REGENCY CHAMPION will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. As the start was effected, DINING STAR lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently began awkwardly. ABLE WARRIOR and HAPPY YEAH YEAH were crowded for room at the start between ATACX and VICTORY HERO, both of which shifted ground. From wide barriers, PSYCHOLOGIST and PACKING MOTOR were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. MASSIVE hung out rounding the Home Turn. Approaching the 300 Metres, ART OF SUCCESS was shifted out away from the heels of ATACX which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPER JOCKEY. Also approaching the 300 Metres, MASSIVE, which was giving ground, was steadied away from the heels of ABLE WARRIOR which shifted out. PSYCHOLOGIST was badly held up for clear running until passing the 300 Metres. In the Straight and particularly over the final 200 Metres, SUPER JOCKEY raced greenly and shifted out considerably under pressure. Near the 100 Metres, REGENCY CHAMPION was shifted out away from the heels of STRONG FOUNDATION which got its head on the side and shifted out. Throughout the race, MASSIVE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, W M Lai stated that he had been asked to have SUPER CAGA racing where it was comfortable, but not to make too much use of the horse in the early stages if it was not able to obtain a forward position. He said SUPER CAGA began well and he commenced to shift across to race in a position closer to the rail, however, the pace of the race in the early stages was such that SUPER CAGA soon came off the bridle and he had to ride the horse along in the run to the first turn in an endeavour to have it obtain as forward a position as possible. He said despite being ridden along in the early stages, SUPER CAGA did not show speed and raced further back in the field than had been intended. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of DINING STAR, Z Purton stated that DINING STAR again lifted its front feet off the ground at the start as it did at its most recent start. He said he then had to ride the horse along in the early stages to make up ground, but was able to obtain a position behind the eventual winner after the 1100 Metres. He said DINING STAR then travelled well and he expected the horse to quicken in the Straight when placed under pressure as it had improved since its first up run and its track work leading in to today’s race had been good. He added at the entrance to the Straight SUPER JOCKEY shifted out which presented clear running to DINING STAR, however, the horse did not quicken and despite being ridden out was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race. He said he was at a loss to explain the disappointing performance of DINING STAR as he expected the horse to perform well, particularly given the good run it experienced behind SUPER JOCKEY. A veterinary inspection of DINING STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of REGENCY CHAMPION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUPER JOCKEY and PSYCHOLOGIST were sent for sampling.