23/11/2014  Shatin  Race 11

HAPPY BAO BEI, which was fractious in the Parade Ring, was examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the Start who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. On jumping, TEOFILO CALVA and I’M IN CHARGE were crowded for room between HAPPY BAO BEI and MY LITTLE FRIEND which shifted in. In the early part of the Straight, MR GINGER had some difficulty obtaining clear running. After the 300 Metres, TEOFILO CALVA and I’M IN CHARGE bumped. Passing the 200 Metres, LANG TAI SING was shifted out away from the heels of I’M IN CHARGE which shifted out after being brushed by TEOFILO CALVA. Near the 150 Metres, TEOFILO CALVA and I’M IN CHARGE again raced tight. Over the concluding stages, MY LITTLE FRIEND was awkwardly placed outside the heels of LET ME GO which was shifting out. LET ME GO was unable to obtain clear running at any stage in the Straight and over the concluding stages was unable to be ridden out due to being awkwardly placed close to the heels of TEOFILO CALVA. When questioned, M L Yeung stated that in pre-race discussions with Mr C S Shum, the trainer of GORGEOUS DEBUT, it was felt that the race would be run at a good tempo as there were a number of horses which had shown good pace in their previous races. He said it was therefore felt that a lot of use would have to be made of GORGEOUS DEBUT in an endeavour to cross runners from its wide barrier and that the likely outcome would be that GORGEOUS DEBUT would be left racing wide. He said therefore he was asked to attempt to obtain a position in about midfield with cover. He said after shifting GORGEOUS DEBUT across in the early stages, his mount commenced to over-race approaching the 900 Metres and got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed close to the heels of KEY WITNESS. He added whilst GORGEOUS DEBUT was obliged to race wide, he had some cover until approaching the 600 Metres at which time the horse was left racing wide and without cover. He said GORGEOUS DEBUT then did not close off the race when placed under pressure in the Straight. Mr Shum advised that he was concerned about where GORGEOUS DEBUT would end up if ridden for speed as is usual given the make-up of today’s field. He said he felt it was in the horse’s best interests to endeavour to obtain cover to see if it would be able to finish off the race. When questioned, G Mosse stated that he had been asked to ride KEY WITNESS behind the speed with cover from the outside barrier. He said in accordance with his instructions, he allowed KEY WITNESS to shift across with runners in the early stages in the hope that the field would break up sufficiently to allow KEY WITNESS to obtain cover. He said however that when PRECISION KING shifted out approaching the 900 Metres when unable to cross I’M IN CHARGE, KEY WITNESS was left racing in a four wide position and without cover. He said therefore he elected to improve his position to race outside the leaders, however, continued to race wide and without cover. Trainer A S Cruz stated that he felt were KEY WITNESS to be taken behind runners in the early stages, the horse would get too far out of its ground and would therefore have too much to do in the Straight. He said KEY WITNESS, which was racing in blinkers for the second time today, travelled keener than he anticipated and because of this was not able to obtain cover. He added it had been hoped that the pace of the race would be sufficient to allow KEY WITNESS the opportunity to obtain cover. A veterinary inspection of RAD and PRECISION KING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. I’M IN CHARGE and TEOFILO CALVA were sent for sampling.