27/10/2013  Shatin  Race 4

ELEGANCE CLASSIC was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, HOLMES LEGEND got its head on the side and shifted in away from APPROVE and in doing so took HECO RIDER in onto PEPPERMINT which became unbalanced. From wide barriers, GLORIOUS RYDER and SUGAR CITY were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the 1200 Metres, GLORIOUS RYDER was awkwardly placed outside the heels of ELEGANCE CLASSIC. Near the 1100 Metres, CALIFORNIA DUDE momentarily raced in restricted room inside GLORIOUS RYDER which, when travelling keenly, shifted in away from the heels of HOLMES LEGEND which shifted in slightly. Passing the 500 Metres, GLORIOUS RYDER, which was being eased to the outside of HOLMES LEGEND into clear running, shifted out abruptly despite the efforts of its rider, resulting in INDIGO WAY, which was racing to the outside of GLORIOUS RYDER, being badly hampered and taken wider. In the early part of the Straight, ENTHUSIASM raced in restricted room inside APOLLO CAVALIER when obtaining a run to the inside of that horse. Approaching the 300 Metres, PEPPERMINT got its head on the side and shifted out and in doing so raced tight against KING’S FOLKS for some distance. After the 100 Metres, HECO RIDER was shifted out away from the heels of APPROVE which shifted ground under pressure. Throughout the race, SPIRIT SOARING travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of HOLMES LEGEND, D Whyte stated that his mount was inclined to lay in and travelled keenly in the initial stages of the race. He said after this HOLMES LEGEND travelled better, however, when asked for an effort in the Straight did not respond to his riding and was disappointing. He added that whilst HOLMES LEGEND was, in his opinion, somewhat disappointing in its first up run this season, he felt that the horse had improved in its track work since that run and a forward showing was expected in today’s race. A veterinary inspection of HOLMES LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of CALIFORNIA DUDE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HOLMES LEGEND, AMBER DRAGON and ENTHUSIASM were sent for sampling.