04/01/2015  Shatin  Race 10

WONDERFUL GUY and LITTLE MEN were slow to begin. JOLLY VICTOR began only fairly and shortly after the start was crowded for room between SANTA FE SUN and VICTORY MASTER which was taken in by GIANT TREASURE. After the 1300 Metres, LITTLE MEN commenced to prove difficult to settle. Passing the 150 Metres, JOLLY VICTOR was shifted to the outside of LITTLE MEN. When questioned, U Rispoli (SANTA FE SUN) stated that he was instructed to attempt to shift the horse to the outside of runners rounding the Home Turn and in the Straight if possible as it had struck interference at its most recent start when amongst other runners. He said for this reason he was reluctant to improve his position inside GIANT TREASURE after the 1300 Metres as he did not want to be left racing inside that horse rounding the Home Turn. He said as GIANT TREASURE was a strong chance in today’s race, he felt that it was better to position SANTA FE SUN behind that horse so that it could take his mount into the Straight at which time it would be able to immediately shift to the outside of that runner. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of HELENE HAPPY STAR, J Moreira stated that he had been asked to ride the horse in a midfield position if possible. He said HELENE HAPPY STAR began well and, despite him not riding the horse along in the early stages, it immediately travelled into the bridle. He said for a considerable distance in the early stages he attempted to steady HELENE HAPPY STAR to obtain cover, however, due to the slow pace, the horse proved very difficult to settle, repeatedly got its head up and was inclined to shift out away from runners to its inside. He said he did consider allowing HELENE HAPPY STAR to stride forward, however, he believed that this would not have been in the best interests of the horse given its racing manner at that time. He said therefore he elected to remain racing in a three wide position and attempt to have HELENE HAPPY STAR more settled despite requiring the horse to race three wide and without cover throughout the event. He added that when the tempo of the race quickened, HELENE HAPPY STAR was left flat-footed and then was not able to finish off the race. He said HELENE HAPPY STAR’s failure in today’s race could be attributed to the manner in which it travelled in a slowly run race. A veterinary inspection of HELENE HAPPY STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GIANT TREASURE, FLAME HERO and WINNING LEADER were sent for sampling.