06/11/2016  Shatin  Race 11

JOLLY JOLLY began only fairly. BABA MAMA was crowded for room on jumping between ARIZONA BLIZZARD which shifted out after being bumped by BEAUTY KINGDOM and MAMBO ROCK which was taken in by VICTORY DAY. After this, BABA MAMA was shifted across behind in the early stages. CLASSIC EMPEROR jumped in at the start, resulting in SHAMAL being crowded for room outside MAGNETISM. Passing the 1300 Metres, POWER OF ONE and MAGNETISM raced tight. BEAUTY KINGDOM lost its left hind plate passing the 1300 Metres. Approaching the 1200 Metres, FRIENDS OF NANJING and MAMBO ROCK were badly crowded for room between ROMAN IMPERO which shifted out after being crossed by ARIZONA BLIZZARD and VICTORY DAY (C Williams) which, when proving difficult to settle, shifted in. Whilst the Stewards found that this incident was a result of the shift from both ROMAN IMPERO and VICTORY DAY, C Williams was advised to ensure that he does his best to prevent his mounts from shifting ground, even in difficult circumstances. MAMBO ROCK lost its right front plate near the 1100 Metres. Passing the 1100 Metres, JOLLY JOLLY commenced to prove very difficult to settle and had to be checked away from the heels of OUTLAWED for some distance. POWER OF ONE, which was following, was severely checked away from the heels of JOLLY JOLLY in consequence. At the same time, ARIZONA BLIZZARD, when racing tight outside JOLLY JOLLY, commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up for some distance. MAGNETISM, ROMAN IMPERO and FRIENDS OF NANJING, which were following, were hampered in consequence. For some distance approaching the 900 Metres, MAGNETISM raced in restricted room between NOBLE ALPHA and POWER OF ONE which was travelling keenly and awkwardly placed behind JOLLY JOLLY which continued to prove difficult to settle and was racing close to the heels of OUTLAWED. After the 900 Metres, ARIZONA BLIZZARD was left racing wide and without cover. MAGNETISM had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 200 Metres was awkwardly placed close to the heels of VICTORY DAY which shifted out. Over the concluding stages, MAGNETISM was again awkwardly placed outside the heels of VICTORY DAY. Passing the 300 Metres, BABA MAMA was briefly held up when racing tight inside OUTLAWED which shifted in marginally. When questioned, C Schofield stated that he had been asked to ride FRIENDS OF NANJING in about a midfield position and if possible shift the horse to the outside of runners in the Straight as it had previously been successful when making its run outside of horses. He said after being placed into the barriers, FRIENDS OF NANJING was fractious and then as the start was effected lifted its front feet off the ground and began only fairly. He said he then rode his mount along in the early stages in an endeavour to make up lost ground. He said passing the 1300 Metres he was positioned to the outside of ROMAN IMPERO and he expected that horse to shift over closer to the inside running rail. He said however that ROMAN IMPERO remained racing away from the rail due to MAGNETISM being positioned on its inside and therefore FRIENDS OF NANJING was left racing wider than he had anticipated. He said after being crowded for room approaching the 1200 Metres, he then shifted FRIENDS OF NANJING across to obtain a position closer to the rail, however, FRIENDS OF NANJING raced ungenerously in the early stages and for some distance approaching and passing the 1000 Metres had to be checked away from heels. He added in the early part of the Straight he was following BABA MAMA and as he felt that this horse would close off strongly, he elected to follow that horse through rather than attempting to shift FRIENDS OF NANJING out and risk being held up for clear running. A veterinary inspection of FRIENDS OF NANJING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of VICTORY DAY, MAMBO ROCK and MAGNETISM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BABA MAMA and BEAUTY KINGDOM were sent for sampling.