01/07/2015  Shatin  Race 5

STRATHEARN began awkwardly. CIRCUIT STAR became unbalanced when bumped on jumping by THE SHOW which shifted in. From wide barriers, AMAZING ALWAYS, ENERGETIC CLASS and FORTUNE TERRITORY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 50 Metres, SNOW SLIDER and BEAUTY JOURNEY (N Callan) raced tight. Then over the concluding stages, N Callan was obliged to stop riding and straighten BEAUTY JOURNEY when that horse commenced to lay in under pressure onto SNOW SLIDER. Consequently BEAUTY JOURNEY was not able to be properly ridden out right to the end of the race. Throughout the race, MASQUERADER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, H W Lai (SNOW SLIDER) stated that he had to make considerable use of his horse in the early stages to obtain a forward position and because of SNOW SLIDER’s reluctance to show speed in the early stages, he was not able to lead. He said after the 1200 Metres he obtained a trailing position behind the eventual winner THE SHOW one horse off the rail. He said SNOW SLIDER travelled comfortably until near the 600 Metres at which time the horse commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of THE SHOW. He said given SNOW SLIDER’s history of wanting to shift to the outside of the track in some of its previous races when taken hold of by its rider, he was reluctant to steady SNOW SLIDER in an attempt to remain racing behind THE SHOW even though this was his preference given that it was at the 600 Metres. He added he felt that, having regard to SNOW SLIDER’S previous history, it was better to allow it to improve in a three wide position around THE SHOW rather than risk having the horse not respond comfortably to being restrained and getting off the track. He said this resulted in SNOW SLIDER having to make its finishing run sooner than he had hoped. After the race, K C Leung was unable to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of THANKSGIVING. He said the horse travelled comfortably in the lead inside the eventual winner THE SHOW, however, came under pressure at the entrance to the Straight and then did not respond to his riding thereafter. A veterinary inspection of THANKSGIVING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ROYALE ELEGANCE, THE SHOW and BEAUTY JOURNEY were sent for sampling.