19/09/2015  Shatin  Race 7

FLYING CHAPARRAL was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (capped left fore elbow). Before being allowed to race again, FLYING CHAPARRAL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. N Callan (ENTITLING) and J Moreira (BRILLIANT DREAM) were each fined the sum of $2,000 for failing to present themselves in the Parade Ring by the required time. Upon leaving the Parade Ring, BRILLIANT DREAM was kicked by GLORIOUS SUN which was fractious leaving the Parade Ring. On arrival at the Start, BRILLIANT DREAM was examined by the Veterinary Officer who, after the necessary consultations, found that horse to be suitable to race. GLORIOUS SUN will be required to undergo a satisfactory parade test prior to its next race start. On arrival at the Start, D Whyte expressed concern regarding the action of AMBER DRAGON. AMBER DRAGON was examined by the Veterinary Officer who, after the necessary consultations, said in his opinion the horse was suitable to race. ENTITLING began awkwardly and shortly after the start was shifted across behind runners. CASA MASTER was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, MARVEL HERO was steadied when crowded for room between AMBER DRAGON and OVETT which shifted out. After the 900 Metres, OVETT was left racing wide and without cover. MARVEL HERO was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. For some distance near the 300 Metres, CIRCUIT LAND had difficulty obtaining clear running and then passing the 300 Metres was shifted in away from the heels of GLORIOUS SUN to improve. When questioned, Apprentice H N Wong stated that he had been asked to ride SUGAR CITY in a position forward of midfield if possible from barrier 1. He said as the start was effected SUGAR CITY began awkwardly which resulted in the horse beginning only fairly. He said he rode his mount along in the early stages, however, CIRCUIT LAND, which was drawn immediately outside SUGAR CITY, was able to cross SUGAR CITY. He said when another runner went forward of CIRCUIT LAND in the early stages, this resulted in SUGAR CITY racing further back in the field than had been anticipated. He said passing the 1100 Metres SUGAR CITY became unbalanced when having to be steadied away from the heels of CIRCUIT LAND and for a short distance after this commenced to race keenly. He added after the 600 Metres he looked to his outside to see if there was an opportunity to shift away from the rail and commence improving into the race, however, ENTITLING was racing to his outside whilst he was racing inside the heels of MARVEL HERO and, in his opinion, he would have had to steady SUGAR CITY too much to shift to the outside of MARVEL HERO. He said therefore he continued to race to the inside of that horse and behind CIRCUIT LAND until entering the Straight. He said at the entrance to the Straight he shifted his mount to the outside of CIRCUIT LAND in order to find clear running, however, due to the make-up of the field at that stage, there was a considerable number of horses in advance of SUGAR CITY, so he commenced to shift the horse to the outside of runners. He said it was not until after the 100 Metres that he was able to shift SUGAR CITY to the outside of MARVEL HERO and it was only at this time that he was able to obtain clear running and fully test his mount. Apprentice Wong was told that whilst the Stewards accepted that the manner in which SUGAR CITY began and the circumstances of the race in the early stages resulted in the horse racing further back than had been intended, he must, wherever possible, ensure that his mounts obtain clear running at the earliest available opportunity so that they are able to be properly tested. After the race, C Schofield (KYNAM) stated that after initially obtaining a trailing position behind GLORIOUS SUN, that horse then handed up the lead to STAR OF BOND which resulted in KYNAM racing further back than had been intended. He said KYNAM travelled satisfactorily during the middle stages, however, when placed under pressure was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to respond to his riding and weakened in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of KYNAM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BRILLIANT DREAM and CIRCUIT LAND were sent for sampling.