25/11/2007  Shatin  Race 4

MULLAAD was slow to begin and was then ridden along to go forward and take up the lead. STRAIGHT VICTORY began awkwardly and was bumped by REWARDING STAR. Shortly after the start, AS YOU WISH was steadied when crowded for room between DOUBLE FANTASY and CROWED GEM which was carried out by CELESTIAL WONDER which on jumping shifted ground. Also shortly after the start, ARISTOCRACY, which had been intended to be ridden quietly, got its head up when being taken back. Near the 1400 Metres, DOUBLE FANTASY got its head up. Approaching the turn at the 800 Metres, ARISTOCRACY got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of STRAIGHT VICTORY. At the same time, CROWNED GEM, which was proving difficult to settle, was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of STRAIGHT VICTORY. From on straightening until after the 100 Metres, REWARDING STAR was held up and unable to obtain clear running. For some distance approaching and passing the 350 Metres, CELESTIAL WONDER raced tight inside KA KA SMART when endeavouring to obtain clear running on the inside of that horse and outside MULLAAD which commenced to give ground. Near the 300 Metres, ROCKALOT got its head on the side, hung in and became unbalanced after bumping KA KA SMART. At the 150 Metres, ARISTOCRACY was steadied away from the heels of STRAIGHT VICTORY. B Prebble (RAMPANT LION) explained he had been instructed to ride the horse in a rearward position. He said RAMPANT LION began only fairly and he then allowed the horse to drop to the rear as instructed. He said RAMPANT LION travelled satisfactorily in the early part of the Straight and responded to his riding, however, over the concluding stages failed to finish the race off. He said in his opinion RAMPANT LION raced “flat”. Y T Cheng (REWARDING STAR) said he was instructed to ride the horse three positions back on the fence. He said in the early stages he from the inside barrier was able to obtain the position as instructed, however, near the 1300 Metres CELESTIAL WONDER was able to shift to a position in front of RISING WIN and as a consequence REWARDING STAR travelled one position further back than intended. S Dye (AS YOU WISH) said the horse travelled in a rearward position as is usual, however, did not appear to stride out as it has done in the past. He said making the turn after the 800 Metres AS YOU WISH hung out which is not usual. He said in the Straight AS YOU WISH failed to finish the race off. Trainer B K Ng was unable to offer an explanation for the performance of the horse. He said in his opinion the horse’s work leading into today’s race had been good and because of this the horse was well fancied by the stable. AS YOU WISH was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of AS YOU WISH after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, AS YOU WISH will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ARISTOCRACY was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of ARISTOCRACY after the race did not show any significant findings. RISING WIN and KA KA SMART were sent for sampling.