08/03/2015  Shatin  Race 6

ANDOYAS was checked and SANTA FE SUN hampered when crowded for room on jumping between FREE JUDGEMENT and SICHUAN VIGOUR which got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. From the outside barriers, PRINCE FALCON and WHAT YOU DREAM were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. TABLEAUX was also taken back in the early stages. Passing the 1500 Metres, TABLEAUX was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PRINCIPAL when being steadied to obtain a trailing position behind that horse. After the 1100 Metres, TRAVEL BROTHER was left racing wide and without cover. For some distance approaching and passing the 800 Metres, SANTA FE SUN was awkwardly placed close to the heels of RACING HERO and near the 750 Metres got its head up and lost ground when being checked away from the heels of that horse. PRINCIPAL, which was following, shifted out away from the heels of SANTA FE SUN, resulting in PRINCIPAL and TABLEAUX racing tight for some distance. Rounding the Home Turn, APOLLO’S CHOICE and EAGLE POWER both became unbalanced due to EAGLE POWER laying in and making contact with APOLLO’S CHOICE. SANTA FE SUN was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 200 Metres, PRINCIPAL was shifted to the inside of TRAVEL BROTHER after being disappointed for running between that horse and BRILLIANT SHINE. When questioned, J Moreira (PRINCIPAL) stated that it had been intended for the horse to be ridden behind the speed if possible as it had not finished off its race at its last start when required to do too much work in the early stages. He said it was felt that today’s race would not be run at a fast tempo and that PRINCIPAL would be able to obtain a trailing position without too much use having to be made of the horse in the early stages. He said shortly after the start he noticed SICHUAN VIGOUR being ridden along to the inside of PRINCIPAL and as he anticipated that this horse would take up a forward position, he shifted PRINCIPAL across to follow SICHUAN VIGOUR forward. He said however that passing the 1500 Metres he was left racing in a four wide position outside SANTA FE SUN which was being aggressively ridden in the early stages to establish its position inside PRINCIPAL. He said rather than remain racing unnecessarily wide, he elected to steady PRINCIPAL and obtain a position with cover behind SANTA FE SUN which resulted in PRINCIPAL racing much further back in the field than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of PRINCIPAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BRILLIANT SHINE, SANTA FE SUN and TRAVEL BROTHER were sent for sampling.