01/07/2014  Shatin  Race 5

AMBITIOUS TREASURE was withdrawn on 30.6.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter WINNING NINE (C K Tong). Before being allowed to race again, AMBITIOUS TREASURE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ALL TIMES LUCKY began awkwardly and shortly after the start momentarily raced tight between UNIQUE HAPPIEST and COLLAGEN which shifted in. From a wide barrier, PLAIN BLUE BANNER was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. In the early stages, FIVE STEP raced greenly and got its head up on a number of occasions. Near the 1000 Metres, BEAUTY AHEAD was momentarily steadied away from the heels of YOUNG TALENT which shifted in. Then passing the 1000 Metres, YOUNG TALENT got its head on the side and shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of MY GOAL, resulting in UNIQUE HAPPIEST being crowded for room. ALL TIMES LUCKY, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of UNIQUE HAPPIEST in consequence. Rounding the Home Turn, YOUNG TALENT got its head on the side and lay out. Passing the 400 Metres, WINNING NINE got its head on the side and shifted in abruptly, resulting in ALL TIMES LUCKY being momentarily crowded for room. YOUNG TALENT lost its left front plate at the 350 Metres. Near the 300 Metres, FIVE STEP was shifted out away from the heels of WINNING NINE which was giving ground. For the majority of the race, VARA PEARL travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Trainer J Moore stated that in assessing today’s race it was his opinion that the race lacked any genuine speed and as KYNAM had been disappointing in its recent races when ridden back in the field, he felt that there was an opportunity for the horse, from the outside barrier, to be ridden in a forward position. He said earlier in its career in Hong Kong, KYNAM was ridden on the speed and therefore he was of the opinion that the horse would have sufficient speed to be able to cross runners to its inside and obtain a forward position without too much use having to be made of it. He added that a number of tracks recently, including today’s, seemed to him to be favouring horses ridden on the speed and as he had experienced recent success with a number of his runners being ridden in a prominent position, he felt that the opportunity presented itself for KYNAM to be able to be ridden more forward than had been the case in the past. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that he had been asked to ride FRIENDS OF YAN OI in about a midfield position if possible. He said after shifting FRIENDS OF YAN OI across behind runners, he felt he may be able to obtain a position outside ALL TIMES LUCKY after the 1100 Metres, however, his mount was inconvenienced passing the 1000 Metres when ALL TIMES LUCKY shifted out. He said these factors resulted in FRIENDS OF YAN OI racing slightly further back in the field than had been intended. After the race, Z Purton reported that CIRCUIT FORTUNE did not stretch out in the Straight and did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of CIRCUIT FORTUNE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, CIRCUIT FORTUNE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. VARA PEARL, KYNAM and YOUNG TALENT were sent for sampling.