15/06/2014  Shatin  Race 1

Whilst in the saddling stalls, MANIPULATION had its left hind plate refitted. MANIPULATION was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. MANIPULATION shifted out and bumped JUST ACE at the start which in turn shifted out and made contact with EXAGGERATION. HAPPY ROCKY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. For some distance prior to and leaving the 1200 Metres, JUST ACE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FRESH AND FRESH (A Suborics) which shifted in when not properly clear. In this incident, JUST ACE shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of MANIPULATION near the 1100 Metres, causing that horse to become unbalanced. A Suborics was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground. Approaching the 100 Metres, EXAGGERATION was steadied away from the heels of GREAT SPEED which shifted out. When questioned regarding the performance of GREAT SPEED, D Whyte stated that after being fractious in the barriers and rearing, GREAT SPEED began awkwardly, resulting in his right foot slipping from the stirrup iron. He said whilst it took him some distance to reposition his foot in the iron, nonetheless it had been intended for GREAT SPEED to follow MANIPULATION and therefore this incident did not cost the horse any ground. He said approaching the 1100 Metres GREAT SPEED commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up when being steadied behind MANIPULATION. He said when the pace of the race slackened further approaching the 1000 Metres GREAT SPEED again proved very difficult to settle and shifted out to be racing tight between MANIPULATION and EXAGGERATION (T Berry). He said this resulted in GREAT SPEED being checked near the 950 Metres when unable to properly establish running between those two horses. He said after this GREAT SPEED travelled on and off the bridle and he was of the opinion that the pace of the race was a contributing factor to the horse’s performance as GREAT SPEED is immature and lacks experience. He added in the Straight GREAT SPEED raced greenly and shifted out abruptly approaching the 100 Metres. A veterinary inspection of GREAT SPEED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. T Berry was advised that whilst the Stewards were satisfied that GREAT SPEED had not established running between MANIPULATION and EXAGGERATION and that riders would be expected to make endeavours to hold their position, nonetheless he was advised to show due care in similar circumstances. A veterinary inspection of EXAGGERATION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GREAT SPEED, FRESH AND FRESH and JUST ACE were sent for sampling.