27/12/2015  Shatin  Race 10

REGENCY KING, which was fractious in the barriers, began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, LUCKY OMENS was crowded for room between CALIFORNIA DISEGNO and VICTORY MAGIC which shifted out. After being crossed by SERGEANT TITANIUM near the 1700 Metres, REGENCY KING got its head up on a number of occasions when proving very difficult to settle. Then near the 1400 Metres, REGENCY KING again got its head up on a number of occasions as it continued to prove difficult to settle when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SERGEANT TITANIUM. Passing the 1400 Metres, GOODHEART SUCCESS raced close to the heels of ANTICIPATION. At the entrance to the Straight, VICTORY MAGIC raced tight between ALLCASH and GOODHEART SUCCESS which shifted out. In this incident, both VICTORY MAGIC and GOODHEART SUCCESS became unbalanced after bumping. Passing the 300 Metres, ANTICIPATION was held up for clear running behind SAVVY NATURE. ANTICIPATION then had some difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 200 Metres. For the majority of the race, CALIFORNIA DISEGNO travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, N Callan (DOYENI) stated that after beginning only fairly, he rode his mount along in the early stages to take up a forward position. He said passing the winning post on the first occasion he continued to ride his mount along to cross ANTICIPATION to his inside, however, near the 1700 Metres DOYENI commenced to hang out and then near the 1600 Metres shifted out abruptly, therefore he had to apply considerable pressure to the right rein in order to shift DOYENI back over towards the rail. He said it was not until entering the Back Straight that DOYENI commenced to race more tractably but even then was still inclined to race with its head on the side. He added he tried to allow the horse to set a more genuine pace in front as DOYENI had responded well at its last start when racing behind a good tempo. He said however that DOYENI was reluctant to stride along and it was not until SAVVY NATURE improved its position around DOYENI after the 1200 Metres that his mount commenced to race more genuinely. He said when SAVVY NATURE went forward of DOYENI, he did consider allowing that horse to cross DOYENI into the lead given that DOYENI had raced well at its last start when ridden in this manner, however, he feared that SAVVY NATURE would then not continue into the lead at a genuine tempo and he did not want to get caught behind that horse were other horses to have improved around SAVVY NATURE. He said therefore after the 1100 Metres he rode his mount along in order to consolidate its position inside SAVVY NATURE. He added in the Straight DOYENI finished off the race only one-paced. A veterinary inspection of DOYENI immediately following the race revealed the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, DOYENI will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of GOODHEART SUCCESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DOYENI, SERGEANT TITANIUM and VICTORY MAGIC were sent for sampling.