21/02/2015  Shatin  Race 9

At declaration time, M Demuro was declared as the rider of both BEAR HERO and SMART MAN. It was established that M Demuro had a firm commitment to ride BEAR HERO. As such, the Stewards permitted U Rispoli to be substituted as the rider of SMART MAN. For this declaration error, Trainer J Moore was fined $2,000. On arrival at the Start, it was noted that LANG TAI SING had blood at its mouth due to a cut to its tongue. LANG TAI SING was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. SPEEDYGONZALEZ and SMART MAN began only fairly. BEAR HERO began awkwardly. From the outside barrier, LANG TAI SING was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 1000 Metres, I’M IN CHARGE commenced to prove difficult to settle when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TEOFILO CALVA. Near the 900 Metres, GOLDEN DEER was left racing wide and without cover. SUPREME FALCON lost its left front plate after the 800 Metres. In the early part of the Straight, SILLY BUDDIES got its head on the side, was inclined to lay out and became awkwardly placed inside the heels of GO BABY GO. SILLY BUDDIES was then unable to obtain clear running and near the 200 Metres was steadied when disappointed for running between GO BABY GO and CALIFORNIA BOUNTY which got its head on the side and lay out under pressure. SILLY BUDDIES was again crowded for room passing the 100 Metres between GO BABY GO and CALIFORNIA BOUNTY, both of which shifted ground. When questioned regarding his riding of BEAR HERO, M Demuro stated that he was asked to ride the horse in the same manner as he did at its most recent start when it finished off the race strongly to run third. He said in the early stages he rode the horse quietly as it had previously been explained to him that BEAR HERO can over-race if pushed along in the early stages. He said as he did not want to be taken across towards the rail, he allowed LANG TAI SING to improve its position ahead of BEAR HERO making the turn after the 900 Metres as that horse was shifting in and BEAR HERO was positioned initially to its inside. He added rounding the Home Turn and at the entrance to the Straight he shifted BEAR HERO out to follow LANG TAI SING, however, BEAR HERO took some time to become balanced. He said he was able to shift BEAR HERO to the outside of LANG TAI SING approaching the 300 Metres, however, BEAR HERO did not close off the race as strongly today as it did at its most recent start. When questioned, Z Purton stated that he had been asked to ride GOLDEN DEER in about a midfield position if possible. He said in the early stages he attempted to shift across behind I’M IN CHARGE and obtain a position with cover behind that horse, however, due to the circumstances of the race in the early stages, runners from towards the rear of the field were able to improve their positions and this resulted in JAZZY FEELING being able to obtain the position behind I’M IN CHARGE which resulted in GOLDEN DEER being obliged to race three wide and without cover for the majority of the race. A veterinary inspection of GOLDEN DEER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SILLY BUDDIES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. I’M IN CHARGE and TEOFILO CALVA were sent for sampling.