17/05/2014  Shatin  Race 3

At declaration time, T Berry was declared as the rider of both MAROON PRINCE and GRAND PLUS. It was established that T Berry had a firm commitment to ride MAROON PRINCE. As such, the Stewards permitted B Prebble to be substituted as the rider of GRAND PLUS. For this declaration error, T Berry was fined $2,000. GOLDEN CHOICE began only fairly. CONFUCIUS ELITE began only fairly and shortly after the start shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of AMBITIOUS GLORY. GRAND PLUS and KING OF SMARTS bumped at the start. A short distance later, GRAND PLUS was steadied when crowded for room between KING OF SMARTS and BOULD MOVER which shifted out. After initially being ridden along in the early stages, BUNKER SHOT was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Making the turn near the 700 Metres, GRAND PLUS was steadied away from the heels of CONFUCIUS ELITE which shifted in marginally when awkwardly placed close to the heels of HELLO KIMBERLEY. Rounding the Home Turn, GRAND PLUS was held up and unable to improve when awkwardly placed behind GOLDEN CHOICE which was giving ground. Near the 300 Metres, MAROON PRINCE was momentarily steadied away from the heels of BOULD MOVER which shifted out. Near the 250 Metres, Apprentice K C Ng (BOULD MOVER) dropped his whip. The performances of GOLDEN CHOICE and KING OF SMARTS, both of which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GOLDEN CHOICE and KING OF SMARTS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, C Y Ho (AMBITIOUS GLORY) stated that he had been instructed to be as close to the lead as possible. He said in the early stages he rode his mount along in compliance with his instructions, however, it soon became aware to him that both GOLDEN CHOICE and HELLO KIMBERLEY were being aggressively ridden to his inside and he therefore felt that he would have had to make far too much use of AMBITIOUS GLORY in order to try and lead those horses. He said therefore rather than racing three wide, he attempted to steady AMBITIOUS GLORY after the 1100 Metres and obtain a trailing position behind HELLO KIMBERLEY, however, AMBITIOUS GLORY proved difficult to steady at this time which allowed CONFUCIUS ELITE the opportunity to improve its position to the inside of AMBITIOUS GLORY and take up the trailing position behind HELLO KIMBERLEY. He said because of this AMBITIOUS GLORY was left racing wide and without cover after the 700 Metres. A veterinary inspection of EASY SUCCESS and MAROON PRINCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HELLO KIMBERLEY and STARTLING POWER were sent for sampling.