01/01/2016  Shatin  Race 6

TENA CITY proved difficult to saddle. On arrival at the Start, B Prebble, the rider of TENA CITY, advised that he was unhappy with the position of the saddle and accordingly attempts were made to re-saddle TENA CITY behind the barriers. When TENA CITY was not able to be re-saddled satisfactorily and so as to prevent an unreasonable delay to the start of the race, TENA CITY was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being permitted to race again, TENA CITY will be required to be saddled and parade satisfactorily under raceday conditions. HAR HAR CHARMING began awkwardly. CALIFORNIA JOY shifted out at the start and bumped EMPEROR VICTORY. ACE KING and RICHCITY FORTUNE bumped on jumping. HOW SPEEDY began awkwardly. Passing the 1000 Metres LUCKY PROFIT was hampered when taken wider by G-ONE BO BO which was taken out by HAMMER KING. Making the first turn at the 900 Metres, VICTORY HEART was crowded for room between HAMMER KING and RICHCITY FORTUNE which, when racing greenly, was directed out after initially shifting in and momentarily crowding the room of ACE KING. CALIFORNIA JOY and EMPEROR VICTORY, which were following ACE KING, were hampered in consequence. At the entrance to the Straight, HAMMER KING was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MASTER STEED. Then passing the 400 Metres, after being shifted to the inside of MASTER STEED, HAMMER KING was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of WHO ELSE BUT YOU. At the 400 Metres, WHO ELSE BUT YOU lay out, resulting in MASTER STEED being inconvenienced. Over the concluding stages, VICTORY HEART was awkwardly placed inside the heels of LUCKY PROFIT which shifted in under pressure. Throughout the race, G-ONE BO BO travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Z Purton stated that he had been asked to ride MASTER STEED positively in the early stages if the horse began well as it had previously been ridden in a forward position, however, if the horse did not begin well, he should ride it quietly as it was at its last start when successful. He said MASTER STEED began well today and therefore he decided to capitalize on this by riding the horse along in the early stages to take up a forward position with the expected leader of the race and favourite WHO ELSE BUT YOU. He said when being ridden along in the early stages MASTER STEED did not feel fluent in its action, however, he was able to obtain a position outside WHO ELSE BUT YOU near the 900 Metres. He added when he steadied MASTER STEED, the horse travelled strongly and he felt that it was travelling well enough at this time to finish off the race. He said he placed MASTER STEED under pressure rounding the Home Turn, however, the horse did not respond to his riding after the 300 Metres and commenced to give ground. He said MASTER STEED was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened over the concluding stages. He further stated that after having ridden MASTER STEED at its last two starts, it may be that the horse would be able to finish off its races better if ridden more patiently than it was today and accordingly he will recommend this to connections for their consideration. A veterinary inspection of MASTER STEED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MASTER STEED, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MASTER STEED will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of WHO ELSE BUT YOU immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WHO ELSE BUT YOU, JOLLY SPRING and LUCKY PROFIT were sent for sampling.