06/07/2014  Shatin  Race 9

RUGBY AMBASSADOR was slow to begin. ALWAYS SOMETHING and SUN PINS were crowded for room at the start between MARVEL TRIBE and SNITZEL KID which shifted out. Shortly after the start, M Chadwick (ALWAYS SOMETHING) dropped his right rein. Approaching the 1100 Metres, AMAZINGLY shifted in and bumped GREAT RUN. At the same point, MARVEL TRIBE raced tight inside SNITZEL KID which shifted in momentarily. Approaching the 1000 Metres, AMAZINGLY, which got its head up on a number of occasions when proving very difficult to settle, lost ground when crowded for room inside TWIN DELIGHT (T Berry) which shifted in. T Berry was advised that whilst AMAZINGLY’s racing manners at this time had contributed to the incident, nonetheless he had shifted in when not clear of that horse. He was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. Passing the 1000 Metres, BULLISH SMART was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GREAT RUN. For some distance after the 900 Metres, BULLISH SMART and AMAZINGLY raced tight between MARVEL TRIBE and ARCHIPPUS which got its head on the side and shifted out. At the 700 Metres, BULLISH SMART lost ground when unable to maintain its position between AMAZINGLY and ARCHIPPUS which continued to race with its head on the side and lay out. ARCHIPPUS had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and approaching and passing the 200 Metres was awkwardly placed inside the heels of MARVEL TRIBE which shifted in under pressure. LANG TAI SING was badly held up for clear running until after the 200 Metres. GREAT RUN was unable to obtain clear running until near the 100 Metres. For the majority of the race, MAC ROW and TWIN DELIGHT travelled wide and without cover. The performance of TWIN DELIGHT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TWIN DELIGHT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that AMAZINGLY was lame in its left front leg. The performance of AMAZINGLY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, AMAZINGLY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. C Y Ho, the rider of 5th placegetter, MAC ROW, was found guilty of a charge of having failed to ride his mount out all the way to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards [Rule 100(2)]. In the circumstances, C Y Ho was fined $40,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 2 racedays. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BULLISH SMART, J Moreira stated that he had been asked to have the horse positioned behind the leaders if possible. He said however that BULLISH SMART began awkwardly and lost ground and consequently he was required to ride the horse further back in the field than had been intended. He said BULLISH SMART lost ground when crowded for room at the 700 Metres and following this travelled only fairly. He added he placed BULLISH SMART under pressure rounding the Home Turn, however, the horse did not respond to his riding and was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of BULLISH SMART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of LANG TAI SING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LANG TAI SING, SUN PINS and ARCHIPPUS were sent for sampling.