07/06/2015  Shatin  Race 1

ELITE PRIDE was withdrawn on 4.6.15 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by first Standby Declared Starter TOP BONUS. BUNKER SHOT was withdrawn on 6.6.15 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter GENUINE CHAMPION (K Teetan). Before being allowed to race again, ELITE PRIDE and BUNKER SHOT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BOLD STITCH, which began awkwardly, was steadied away from the heels of TOP BONUS (N Rawiller) which shifted in on jumping. N Rawiller was advised to ensure that in similar circumstances he makes every endeavour to prevent his mount from shifting ground and causing interference to other runners. TOP BONUS then continued to shift in, resulting in PERFECT TIMING being inconvenienced. MULTI-WIN GENERAL, which was a little slow to begin, was crowded for room on jumping between WIN AND M and SILVER MISSION which shifted in. Shortly after the start, SOLAR HEI HEI and PERFECT TIMING, from wide barriers, were steadied and shifted across behind runners. On the first turn after leaving the 900 Metres, DIAMOND MASTER got its head up and raced keenly when being steadied away from the heels of TOP BONUS. In the middle stages, MULTI-WIN GENERAL tended to over-race, having to be checked away from the heels of WIN AND M for some distance after the 800 Metres. Upon straightening, DIAMOND MASTER attempted to improve to the outside of the heels of TOP BONUS and as a consequence made contact with the hindquarters of ORACLE. Over the final 200 Metres, ORACLE lay in, proved difficult to ride and approaching the finishing line raced tight on GENUINE CHAMPION which was inconvenienced. MULTI-WIN GENERAL shifted in under pressure over the concluding stages. For the majority of the race, EXCEEDINGLY EXCEL and SILVER MISSION travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. The performances of EXCEEDINGLY EXCEL and SILVER MISSION, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, EXCEEDINGLY EXCEL and SILVER MISSION will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, T H So explained that he had been instructed not to be aggressive on TRENDY WORLD in the early stages and endeavour to find a position with cover behind the leading group if possible. He said at its last start an attempt was made to put TRENDY WORLD on the pace and the horse was not able to display the necessary speed to take up a forward position and consequently proved very disappointing. He said it was felt that if the horse could be ridden more conservatively and find cover, it may be able to perform better. He said however that in the run to the first turn when SILVER MISSION and EXCEEDINGLY EXCEL held their positions to his inside, he was left racing very wide and was then obliged to allow TRENDY WORLD to stride forward in an endeavour to find a position closer to the rail. He added that on the first turn TRENDY WORLD received a bump from EXCEEDINGLY EXCEL and consequently after the 800 Metres he chose to ride TRENDY WORLD forward in an endeavour to cross runners to his inside, however, the horse continued to race very wide and without cover and as a consequence then weakened in the Straight. Trainer L Ho stated that following discussions with the connections of TRENDY WORLD, it was decided to attempt to ride the horse more conservatively behind the speed rather than attempting to lead as the horse had proved very disappointing of late. He said however as a consequence of being obliged to race wide, the horse was then not able to close off the race. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that WIN AND M was distressed. Before being allowed to race again, WIN AND M will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of BOLD STITCH and SILVER MISSION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SOLAR HEI HEI and DIAMOND MASTER were sent for sampling.