03/05/2015  Shatin  Race 9

After arriving at the Start, B Prebble reported that YOU READ MY MIND had been kicked by another runner when proceeding to the Start. YOU READ MY MIND was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Shortly after the start, LOTUS BREEZE was crowded for room between DISCIPLES TWELVE and MY LITTLE FRIEND which shifted out. Near the 350 Metres, YOU READ MY MIND was shifted out away from the heels of CALIFORNIA BOUNTY. After initially being directed towards the inside of JETWINGS, MY LITTLE FRIEND was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse for some distance after the 300 Metres due to JETWINGS giving ground. Over the concluding stages, VICTORIUS and DISCIPLES TWELVE were unable to obtain clear running and consequently were not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. LOTUS BREEZE, which was following DISCIPLES TWELVE and VICTORIUS, was also hampered close to the finishing line. Close to the finishing line, CALIFORNIA BOUNTY was awkwardly placed outside the heels of NOT LISTENIN’TOME. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of JETWINGS, O Doleuze stated that his mount has a history of being difficult in the barriers and because of this it was loaded into the stalls late which is customary. He said just prior to the start being effected, JETWINGS became fractious and then as the start was effected reared, resulting in the horse losing ground. He said JETWINGS was able to recover lost ground in the early stages and after the 800 Metres had shifted in to obtain a trailing position behind LOVELY DELOVELY. He said JETWINGS travelled only fairly and for this reason near the 500 Metres he shifted the horse out away from the heels of LOVELY DELOVELY to see whether it would travel better and finish off the race. He added after being placed under pressure near the 400 Metres, JETWINGS did not respond to his riding and was very disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race over the concluding stages. He said although JETWINGS had had some time off since its last start, the horse had barrier trialed well in the lead up to today’s race. He said based on the horse’s performance in the barrier trial and its subsequent work, he expected JETWINGS to race well today despite the time between runs. Mr R Gibson, the trainer of JETWINGS, stated that he had given JETWINGS time off since its last run to overcome some minor foot problems. He said despite the time off, he was very satisfied with the way the horse had trialed in the lead up to today’s race and he expected it to perform well. He said, in his opinion, the horse’s disappointing performance could be partly explained by the fact that JETWINGS had to be ridden along in the early stages of the race to make up lost ground due to the poor beginning. A veterinary inspection of JETWINGS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of JETWINGS, which had been successful at its only two starts in Hong Kong, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, JETWINGS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of LOOKS LIKE THE CAT immediately following the race revealed the horse to be a “roarer”. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that VICTORIUS was lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, VICTORIUS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. NOT LISTENIN’TOME, JETWINGS, GO BABY GO and MY LITTLE FRIEND were sent for sampling.