10/01/2015  Shatin  Race 10

STAR TRACK was withdrawn on 9.1.15 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HE WAS ME. Before being allowed to race again, STAR TRACK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BEST TANGO proved difficult to load. Before being allowed to race again, BEST TANGO will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. CONFUCIUS SPIRIT shifted out at the start and was checked away from the heels of ELECTRONIC FORTUNE. Shortly after the start, HE WAS ME raced tight between GERONIMO MEADOW and GOODHEART SUCCESS which shifted in. Near the 1200 Metres, BERLINI, which was proving difficult to settle, was checked when crowded for room between UNIVERSAL UNION which shifted out and BEST TANGO which improved up inside the heels of SUPREME FLIGHT (M Guyon) and was then taken in by that horse which was also proving difficult to settle. M Guyon was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst there were some circumstances to his incident, nonetheless he must ensure that he is sufficiently clear of other runners before shifting ground. Passing the 1200 Metres, GERONIMO MEADOW was crowded for room inside HE WAS ME which, when racing ungenerously, got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. Then passing the 1100 Metres, HE WAS ME commenced to prove very difficult to settle and after the 1000 Metres was checked after improving of its own accord to be racing inside the heels of GOODHEART SUCCESS where there was insufficient room, resulting in UNIVERSAL UNION also being severely checked and blundering. Passing the 1000 Metres, SUPREME FLIGHT proved difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ELECTRONIC FORTUNE. Then making the turn after the 900 Metres, SUPREME FLIGHT raced in restricted room between HAPPY AND HEALTHY and FLYING ELITE which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening to SUPREME FLIGHT. Passing the 200 Metres, HAPPY AND HEALTHY was steadied when disappointed for running between SUPREME FLIGHT and FLYING ELITE, both of which shifted ground when weakening. BEST TANGO was unable to obtain clear running until near the 150 Metres. Then over the concluding stages, BEST TANGO raced in restricted room between ELECTRONIC FORTUNE and GERONIMO MEADOW. For the majority of the race, SUPREME FLIGHT travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, M Guyon stated that he had been asked to ride SUPREME FLIGHT from off the speed. He said it was explained to him that SUPREME FLIGHT, when leading in its recent races, had not finished off as anticipated and it was hoped that the horse may be able to finish off the race better today with cover. Mr A T Millard, the trainer of SUPREME FLIGHT, will be interviewed regarding the riding instructions given to Jockey Guyon prior to the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 14 January 2015. When questioned, J Moreira stated that it had been intended for UNIVERSAL UNION to be ridden in a position in advance of midfield if possible. He said however that as the start was effected UNIVERSAL UNION began only fairly which resulted in it being further back in the field than had been intended. He said he rode his mount along in an endeavour to make up lost ground, however, UNIVERSAL UNION, due to the tempo of the race, was caught behind runners which were proving difficult to settle, resulting in the horse having to be severely checked near the 900 Metres. He added after this incident UNIVERSAL UNION had difficulty regaining balance rounding the turns. He said he shifted UNIVERSAL UNION to the outside of runners in the Straight and the horse then closed off the race strongly despite the tempo of the race and the incident near the 900 Metres. When questioned, D Whyte stated that he had been asked to ride BERLINI similarly to its last start when successful. He said in today’s race BERLINI proved very difficult to settle in the early stages, however, the horse raced similarly in the past in the early stages. He said in the past BERLINI had commenced to travel more tractably as its races progressed, however, today after being checked near the 1200 Metres BERLINI would not settle and consequently was unable to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of BERLINI immediately following the race did not show any significant finding, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. CONTENTMENT and UNIVERSAL UNION were sent for sampling.