01/01/2014  Shatin  Race 4

DOUBLE GLORY began awkwardly and then was buffeted for room shortly after the start between ADMIRAL LORD and AMBITIOUS CHAMPION. LET ME GO shifted out at the start and bumped LEVEL PLAYER. From wide barriers, IMPERIAL CONCORDE and LUCKY OMENS were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the 1500 Metres, AMBITIOUS CHAMPION was allowed to stride forward into the lead when left racing wide. Near the 1100 Metres, LEVEL PLAYER was left racing wide and without cover. In the early part of the Straight, LUCKY OMENS got its head on the side, lay in and proved difficult to shift to the outside of DOUBLE GLORY into clear running. After this, LUCKY OMENS continued to race with its head on the side. ADMIRAL LORD was unable to obtain clear running until passing the 300 Metres. At the 100 Metres, AMBER DRAGON and LEVEL PLAYER bumped due to both horses shifting ground. When questioned, Z Purton stated that he had been instructed to ride LET ME GO in a position behind the speed with cover if possible. He said it was anticipated that today’s race would be run at a slow tempo, however, he expected DOUBLE GLORY and possibly IMPERIAL CONCORDE to take up forward positions and therefore it may be available for LET ME GO to obtain a position with cover behind those horses. He said LET ME GO jumped very well and after DOUBLE GLORY was not able to show sufficient speed to lead, he was left with no option other than to allow his mount to maintain its position. He added shortly after the start he observed AMBER DRAGON being ridden into a forward position and he shifted across with that horse, however, PERCY JACKSON maintained its position behind AMBER DRAGON which left LET ME GO racing without cover in the early stages. He said when AMBITIOUS CHAMPION was allowed to improve its position near the 1500 Metres, he had hoped for that horse to have raced to the outside of AMBER DRAGON which would have provided LET ME GO with cover, however, AMBITIOUS CHAMPION continued forward into the lead. He added when LET ME GO was subsequently taken into a three wide position without cover by AMBER DRAGON which shifted away from the rail approaching the 1300 Metres, he allowed LET ME GO to stride forward to race outside AMBITIOUS CHAMPION rather than remain racing three wide and without cover. He said the circumstances of the race resulted in LET ME GO having to be ridden in a forward position without cover. Trainer J Moore confirmed that he had instructed Jockey Purton to ride LET ME GO behind the speed with cover if possible. A veterinary inspection of LET ME GO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of AMBITIOUS CHAMPION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LET ME GO, LEVEL PLAYER and ADMIRAL LORD were sent for sampling.