02/03/2013  Shatin  Race 5

FLYING CHAPARRAL was withdrawn on 1.3.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (blood abnormality) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SUPREME FALCON (W C Marwing). Before being allowed to race again, FLYING CHAPARRAL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. OPEN SESAME, which was leaning on the outside of its gate, began awkwardly and lost ground. ALL ROUND blundered badly at the start. After this, ALL ROUND was taken across behind runners. From the outside barrier, LORD SINCLAIR was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After the 1300 Metres, SPLENDID VICTORY commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up for a considerable distance when being checked away from the heels of CLASSIC JEWELLERY. SPLENDID VICTORY continued to over-race and approaching the 800 Metres shifted out from behind CLASSIC JEWELLERY to avoid that horse’s heels. When SPLENDID VICTORY shifted out, LIBERTY VALANCE, which travelled wide and without cover, was taken wider. After this, SPLENDID VICTORY travelled wide and without cover and was consequently allowed to stride into a more forward position. Approaching the 700 Metres, CLASSIC JEWELLERY commenced to travel keenly and shifted out away from the heels of SUPER CAGA which itself was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPREME FALCON. Passing the 300 Metres, GOLDWEAVER was checked when attempting a tight run to the inside of CHOICE EXCHEQUER which shifted in marginally when commencing to give ground. Also passing the 300 Metres, K C Leung (SUPER CAGA) dropped his whip. Having regard to Jockey Leung’s previous record in respect of this matter, the Stewards considered it appropriate for him to be fined the sum of $15,000. When questioned regarding his riding of CLASSIC JEWELLERY rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, D Whyte stated that after having to race in a three wide position from the 700 Metres, he was reluctant to continue to shift to the outside of SPLENDID VICTORY after the 500 Metres. He said rounding the Home Turn he rode his mount along to improve to the outside of SPLENDID VICTORY, however, that horse hung out and for this reason CLASSIC JEWELLERY was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. He said as this was happening, DEEP THINKER was able to improve quickly to the outside of CLASSIC JEWELLERY. He said at the entrance to the Straight he rode CLASSIC JEWELLERY along to shift to the outside of SPLENDID VICTORY which continued to hang out, however, CLASSIC JEWELLERY did not show the same turn of foot that DEEP THINKER did and because of this DEEP THINKER was able to improve around CLASSIC JEWELLERY. He added he attempted to push CLASSIC JEWELLERY into tight running between DEEP THINKER and SPLENDID VICTORY which continued to shift out, however, both DEEP THINKER and SPLENDID VICTORY shifted ground which resulted in CLASSIC JEWELLERY having to be steadied when disappointed for running between those two horses. CLASSIC JEWELLERY, LORD SINCLAIR, DEEP THINKER and LONGWAH SUPREME sent for sampling.