17/01/2016  Shatin  Race 3

As the start was effected, SUPERIOR BOY lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently began only fairly. GOLDEN GUNNERS and C P POWER bumped heavily at the start. MELLIFLUENT began awkwardly and lost ground. After the 1100 Metres, GOLDEN GUNNERS raced tight inside C P POWER which was taken in marginally by TREASURE AND GOLD. Approaching the first turn, HAMMER KING, when being steadied in order to obtain cover, shifted in and bumped TREASURE AND GOLD. A short distance later, RICHCITY FORTUNE was bumped and shifted out away from the heels of HAMMER KING which was bumped by TREASURE AND GOLD which in turn was taken out by C P POWER. PLANET CHOICE was shifted out away from the heels of RICHCITY FORTUNE in consequence and forced wide. Near the 750 Metres, GOLDEN GUNNERS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of G-ONE BO BO. At the 400 Metres, JOLLY SPRING was checked when disappointed for running between STARRY STARLIES and SUPERIOR BOY which shifted out. As there was not sufficient room for JOLLY SPRING to improve between STARRY STARLIES and SUPERIOR BOY at this time, no further action was taken. HAMMER KING had some difficulty obtaining clear running approaching and passing the 300 Metres. Approaching the 100 Metres, JOLLY SPRING was steadied and shifted in away from the heels of TREASURE AND GOLD which shifted out when giving ground. Throughout the race, RICHCITY FORTUNE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, G Mosse (PLANET CHOICE) stated that because the horse had drawn the outside barrier he had been asked to ride it in about a midfield position with cover if possible. He said it was felt that too much use of the horse would have to be made in the early stages were it to be ridden for speed as it had been in its previous races. He said it was anticipated that there would be sufficient speed drawn close to the rail in a race to be run at a good tempo. He said in accordance with his instructions, although PLANET CHOICE began well, he steadied his mount shortly after the start in order to obtain a trailing position behind RICHCITY FORTUNE which was also being steadied to obtain cover. He said it took him some time to be able to steady PLANET CHOICE to obtain a position behind RICHCITY FORTUNE and before he was able to achieve this PLANET CHOICE was hampered and taken wider making the first turn near the 900 Metres. He added because the race was then not run at a good tempo, PLANET CHOICE proved difficult to settle in the middle stages and was left racing wide. Trainer K L Man stated he anticipated that C P POWER and HAMMER KING would obtain forward positions and that RICHCITY FORTUNE may also be ridden for speed in the early stages and as those horses were drawn more favourably than PLANET CHOICE, he believed it would be in the horse's best interests, from the outside barrier, to be ridden with more patience today in the hope that it would obtain a position with cover and then be able to finish off the race. He said although PLANET CHOICE had finished second over the 1200 Metres previously, he believed that were the horse to be ridden for speed today, it would then not be able to close off the race. He said however the race was not run at a tempo that he anticipated. G Mosse was advised that whilst the Stewards were mindful that he had been instructed to attempt to obtain cover, they were of the opinion, having regard to the manner in which the horse began, it would have been reasonable for him to take advantage of that and ride the horse in a forward position as had been the case of late. Mr Man was advised that his explanation would be noted, however, he must ensure that, wherever possible, horses are ridden in a consistent manner and that the rider of horses trained by him are given some latitude in regards to the manner in which they are able to ride to the circumstances of the race. A veterinary inspection of PLANET CHOICE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, PLANET CHOICE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. G-ONE BO BO and HAMMER KING were sent for sampling.