15/12/2013  Shatin  Race 10

AMBASSADORSHIP was withdrawn on 13.12.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inappetence) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter WINNING APEX (A Suborics). Before being allowed to race again, AMBASSADORSHIP will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HELENE FUN STAR began awkwardly. WINNING APEX was crowded for room at the start between FABULOUS NOVEMBER and SPINNING DANCER which shifted in. Shortly after the start, KOKODA shifted in and bumped MR GNOCCHI. When left racing wide in the early stages, HO HO LIFE was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead, however, travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. When being steadied to obtain cover in the early stages, FLAME HERO got its head up on a number of occasions. Approaching the 1200 Metres, MAC ROW was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPINNING DANCER which was being steadied in an attempt to obtain cover. Also approaching the 1200 Metres, FLAME HERO got its head up when steadied away from the heels of KOKODA which, when over-racing, was taken out slightly by MR GNOCCHI. BIG FOUR, which was following, got its head up in consequence when being steadied. Near the 1100 Metres, BIG FOUR got its head on the side, shifted out when proving very difficult to settle and was steadied away from the heels of FLAME HERO. SUMARAND DRAGON travelled keenly approaching and passing the 1100 Metres. Making the turn near the 900 Metres and particularly rounding the Home Turn, FABULOUS NOVEMBER got its head on the side and hung out. Rounding the Home Turn, PLENTIFUL was shifted out away from the heels of MAC ROW. BIG FOUR was held up for clear running until passing the 300 Metres. Near the 100 Metres, C Y Ho (PEPPERMINT) dropped his right rein. Close to the finishing line, MAC ROW was shifted out away from the heels of WONDERFUL MOMENTS after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. When MAC ROW shifted out, this resulted in BIG FOUR racing in restricted room inside PEPPERMINT. Because of these incidents, MAC ROW and BIG FOUR were not able to be fully tested over the concluding stages. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MR GNOCCHI, M L Yeung stated that his mount travelled fairly in the early and middle stages and travelled in a similar manner to when he had previously ridden the horse. He said however that when placed under pressure rounding the Home Turn, MR GNOCCHI became unbalanced in its action and then failed to finish off the race. He said, in his opinion, MR GNOCCHI did not appreciate racing on today’s rain affected track. A veterinary inspection of MR GNOCCHI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MR GNOCCHI, FABULOUS NOVEMBER and HELENE FUN STAR were sent for sampling.