28/09/2015  Shatin  Race 9

CLUB LIFE began awkwardly and shifted out abruptly, resulting in BEAUTY LEAD, which began only fairly, being hampered. ENTITLING and HAPPY CONTENDER made heavy contact at the start, causing both horses to become unbalanced. In this incident, HAPPY CONTENDER bumped the hindquarters of BEST SHOW, causing that horse to become unbalanced and for HAPPY CONTENDER to be further hampered. After the 1500 Metres, HAPPY CONTENDER commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of WINNING INSTINCT. HAPPY CONTENDER continued to race fiercely and for some distance after the 1300 Metres was severely checked away from the heels of ATHENA BABY. Near the 1100 Metres, CLUB LIFE momentarily raced tight inside ENORMOUS HONOUR. After the 1000 Metres, ATHENA BABY was left racing wide and without cover. Rounding the Home Turn, TOP ACE and ATHENA BABY raced tight as TOP ACE attempted to shift out into clear running. TOP ACE was then held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 400 Metres, STRONG FOUNDATION was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of ENORMOUS HONOUR. Near the 250 Metres, HOLMES LEGEND was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of WINNING INSTINCT which shifted in after being bumped by ATHENA BABY. Passing the 200 Metres, GOOD GOOD VIEW was shifted to the outside of HOLMES LEGEND to obtain clear running. When questioned, R Fourie (CLUB LIFE) stated that he had been asked to lead on the rail if possible. He said after beginning very awkwardly, he rode his mount along for a considerable distance in the early stages to take up a forward position as instructed. He said STRONG FOUNDATION was able to find the position on the rail easily inside CLUB LIFE and having in mind he had to ride CLUB LIFE along for a considerable distance, he did not believe it would be in the horse's best interests to continue to ride it along in the hope of being able to cross STRONG FOUNDATION which was travelling strongly. He added therefore he elected to remain racing to the outside of that horse in order to allow his mount the opportunity to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of STRONG FOUNDATION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ATHENA BABY, WINNING INSTINCT and ENORMOUS HONOUR were sent for sampling.