04/05/2014  Shatin  Race 5

FABULOUS NOVEMBER began awkwardly, shifted out and in doing so bumped the hindquarters of OUR FOLKS. A short distance later, FABULOUS NOVEMBER was bumped by OUR FOLKS which was taken in by CHARITY JOY. Approaching the 1100 Metres, C Y Ho (TWIN DELIGHT) adjusted his left foot in the stirrup. Passing the 800 Metres, FABULOUS NOVEMBER shifted out when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed close to the heels of TOUR DE FORCE. After the 700 Metres, FABULOUS NOVEMBER got its head on the side and lay out. DINING WORLD lost its right front plate passing the 700 Metres. Passing the 100 Metres, SOLAR GREAT and TWIN DELIGHT raced tight inside CHARITY JOY which shifted in away from OUR FOLKS when giving ground. In the Straight, DINING WORLD got its head on the side and lay in under pressure. For the majority of the race, OUR FOLKS travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that he had been given alternate riding instructions on CHARITY JOY depending on the manner in which the horse began. He said he was instructed that were the horse to be slow to begin as it was last start, he should ride it where he was able to obtain cover, however, if the horse began well, he should ride it positively and obtain a forward position. He said when CHARITY JOY began well, he rode his mount along in the early stages to take up a forward position which the horse was able to do without having too much use made of it. He said after allowing GORGEOUS DEBUT to cross CHARITY JOY after the 1000 Metres, he had intended to maintain his position outside CAGA FORCE which was following GORGEOUS DEBUT. He added near the 800 Metres the rider of GORGEOUS DEBUT steadied his mount after obtaining the lead and CHARITY JOY immediately commenced to prove difficult to settle. He said he restrained CHARITY JOY in an endeavour to have it sit outside GORGEOUS DEBUT, however, the horse was continuing to prove very difficult to settle. He said rather than fight against his mount, he elected to allow CHARITY JOY to improve its position with a view to crossing GORGEOUS DEBUT to see if he could then steady the tempo in the hope that CHARITY JOY would settle better. He said however that GORGEOUS DEBUT continued to maintain its position to the inside of CHARITY JOY and he was not able to cross that horse. He said the manner in which he rode CHARITY JOY was due to the combination of the pace being steadied by the rider of GORGEOUS DEBUT and the manner in which CHARITY JOY was travelling at this time. A veterinary inspection of OUR FOLKS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. OUR FOLKS, TOUR DE FORCE and SMART MAN were sent for sampling.