08/03/2015  Shatin  Race 10

BULLISH SMART began only fairly. Shortly after the start, UP AND COMING, which began only fairly, was crowded for room between INVINCIBLE FRESH and CASH COURIER which shifted in. Also shortly after the start, ALADDIN was crowded for room between LUCKY HAMMER and PACKING PINS which shifted in after being bumped by SHORT SQUEEZE. ALADDIN was then shifted across behind runners. When caught wide in the early stages, SHORT SQUEEZE was steadied after the 1000 Metres to obtain cover. TOO FAST had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. BULLISH SMART was badly held up for clear running until after the 200 Metres. Throughout the race, LUCKY HAMMER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, N Callan (PACKING PINS) stated that, from barrier 13, he had been instructed that if the horse began well to make use of its “gate speed” and obtain a position in about midfield with cover if possible. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode PACKING PINS positively in the early stages after it began well and attempted to shift across with runners shortly after the start. He said LUCKY HAMMER was aggressively ridden to maintain its position inside PACKING PINS and after the 1200 Metres PACKING PINS was left racing very wide. He said due to the makeup of the field at that time, he would have had to restrain PACKING PINS heavily to come back and attempt to find a position with cover which would likely not have occurred as UP AND COMING had obtained a trailing position behind MI SAVVY BOY which was racing directly to the inside of PACKING PINS near the 1000 Metres. He said it was not available to him to ride forward at this time as the race was being run at a good tempo and he would have had to make too much use of the horse and as a consequence PACKING PINS was left racing in a four wide position without cover throughout the race. He added PACKING PINS came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and then in the Straight gave ground, however, this was not unexpected given the tough run that the horse endured in the early and middle stages. Mr P F Yiu, the trainer of PACKING PINS, confirmed the instructions given to Jockey Callan and stated that it had been hoped that, despite the horse’s wide barrier, it would be able to obtain a position with cover slightly in front of midfield. A veterinary inspection of PACKING PINS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HO IN ONE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PACKING PINS, LAUGH OUT LOUD and UP AND COMING were sent for sampling.