01/02/2015  Shatin  Race 10

EAGLE POWER was withdrawn on 31.1.15 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore fetlock) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter APACHE SPIRIT (K C Leung). Before being allowed to race again, EAGLE POWER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie fitted to REDKIRK WARRIOR was adjusted. ANDOYAS proved difficult to load. Before being allowed to race again, ANDOYAS will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. FRANCE VALOUR was slow to begin. ANTICIPATION began only fairly. From the outside barrier, APACHE SPIRIT was shifted across behind runners in the early stages and then proved very difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of FUN KINGDOM after the 1500 Metres. APACHE SPIRIT then continued to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up repeatedly. CELESTIAL SMILE lost its right front plate in the early stages. Approaching the 1000 Metres, CELESTIAL SMILE raced in restricted room between ETON BLITZ and HORSE OF FORTUNE, both of which shifted ground slightly. After the 900 Metres, REDKIRK WARRIOR was left racing wide and without cover. Rounding the Home Turn, CLUB LIFE got its head on the side and lay out and then at the entrance to the Straight became unbalanced after being bumped by HORSE OF FORTUNE which shifted out. ANDOYAS had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. CELESTIAL SMILE also had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and after the 300 Metres was shifted to the inside of ETON BLITZ to obtain a run. Throughout the race, FUN KINGDOM travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, M Guyon (CLUB LIFE) stated that he had been instructed to try and lead if possible. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount aggressively in the early stages, however, FAT CHOY HONG KONG clearly showed more speed than CLUB LIFE in the early stages and he was unable to prevent that horse from crossing CLUB LIFE. He said after being crossed by FAT CHOY HONG KONG, he then noted that CONTENTMENT was improving its position in the early stages from a wide barrier. He said he felt at this stage he would have had to make too much use of CLUB LIFE to lead and therefore elected to allow CONTENTMENT to cross. He said after the 1100 Metres when CHATER DREAM was being aggressively ridden forward, he also allowed that horse to cross CLUB LIFE which provided his mount with cover. He said although CLUB LIFE was not able to lead, he felt that after the horse had not shown the anticipated early speed, he believed it was in the best interests of the horse to be ridden in this manner rather than make too much use of it which may have negatively impacted on the horse’s ability to finish off the race. When questioned regarding his riding of CONTENTMENT in the early part of the Straight, N Rawiller stated that after being afforded an easy lead, the horse quickened naturally after the 500 Metres and at the entrance to the Straight. He said CONTENTMENT had previously shown an immediate turn of foot when placed under pressure when he had ridden the horse in the past, therefore he did not believe that there was a need to place it under heavy pressure in the early stages of the Straight as CONTENTMENT was travelling nicely. He said passing the 350 Metres he was aware that REDKIRK WARRIOR was improving its position towards the middle of the track and he commenced to slap the horse down the shoulder with his whip in the right hand. He said when REDKIRK WARRIOR had improved its position to be not quite on terms with CONTENTMENT near the 300 Metres, he commenced to ride his mount along vigorously and CONTENTMENT quickened well as evidenced by the fact that the horse immediately established a margin over the remainder of the field. He said despite CONTENTMENT being placed under pressure, REDKIRK WARRIOR showed a better turn of foot than CONTENTMENT and, despite him riding CONTENTMENT along, REDKIRK WARRIOR was able to gain an advantage over CONTENTMENT. He added he placed CONTENTMENT under considerable pressure including using the whip on the horse in the Straight and although CONTENTMENT was inclined to lay out under pressure, it did not take any ground off REDKIRK WARRIOR in the run to the line. N Rawiller was advised that whilst the Stewards were comfortably satisfied that his riding of CONTENTMENT in the early part of the Straight had not had any bearing on the finishing positions between REDKIRK WARRIOR and CONTENTMENT at the end of the race having in mind that he had ridden CONTENTMENT over the final 300 Metres of the race, he must place his mounts under the necessary degree of pressure at the appropriate time of a race to ensure that his riding is not subject to query and to enable his mounts are afforded every opportunity to finish in the best possible position. REDKIRK WARRIOR lost its right front plate after passing the winning post. REDKIRK WARRIOR and CONTENTMENT were sent for sampling.