03/11/2013  Shatin  Race 8

AXIOM was withdrawn prior to Race 6 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (right fore soft tissue infection). Before being allowed to race again, AXIOM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WAYFOONG EXPRESS was slow to begin. Rounding the Home Turn, PERCY JACKSON (N Pinna) became unbalanced after being bumped by AMBASSADORSHIP (K Teetan) which shifted out to obtain clear running. K Teetan was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances in future. N Pinna was spoken to regarding extending his right elbow away from his body in this incident and advised against this practice in future. In the early part of the Straight, LUCKY OMENS hung in and was reluctant to shift to the outside of horses into clear running. Passing the 200 Metres, LUCKY OMENS shifted out abruptly away from the heels of BACKBENCH BLUES which got its head on the side and shifted out quickly. Then over the concluding stages, LUCKY OMENS again hung in and proved very difficult to ride. Throughout the race, CIRCUIT STAR travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, D Whyte stated that as there did not appear to be much speed in the race, he had been instructed, from barrier 8, to ride RED DANCER positively in the early stages with a view to hopefully obtaining 3rd or 4th position with cover. He said after having to ride RED DANCER along in the very early stages of the race, it was able to cross runners to its inside with ease. He said after shifting across to the rail, he had intended to allow TODOS CON SUERTE, which was racing to his outside, to take the lead, however, RED DANCER was travelling keenly and he believed that he would have had to overly restrain the horse in order to allow TODOS CON SUERTE to cross which would not have been in RED DANCER’s best interests. A veterinary inspection of PERCY JACKSON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. JOLLY VICTOR and AMBASSADORSHIP were sent for sampling.