21/06/2009  Shatin  Race 10

UNION'S STAR was withdrawn on 19.6.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HORACE'S CHOICE (C K Tong). Before being allowed to race again, UNION’S STAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TOP NEWS proved difficult to load. In view of the record of TOP NEWS, the horse will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial before being permitted to race again. TOP NEWS was slow to begin. FLEET COMMAND was slow to begin, then lost further ground when crowded for room between LAMBRO and HIGH POINT, both of which shifted ground. Near the 1200 Metres, LUMINOUS, which had been ridden to go forward, was steadied and shifted across to a position with cover. After the 1200 Metres, TOP NEWS got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of LUMINOUS (M W Leung) which shifted in when not properly clear. M W Leung was severely reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. Passing the 1000 Metres, after being shifted across to a position with cover, FORTUNE RED PEPPER got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of GOLD STRIKER. Approaching the turn at the 800 Metres, FORTUNE RED PEPPER again got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of GOLD STRIKER. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, LAMBRO was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of GOLD STRIKER. Prior to straightening, FORTUNE RED PEPPER was steadied and shifted out to obtain clear running. When questioned, D Beadman (IRISH JIG) explained he had been instructed to ride his mount where it was comfortable. He said IRISH JIG began well, he therefore elected to allow his mount to travel forward in the early stages without riding along to do so. He said approaching the 1000 Metres he went forward to cross GOLD STRIKER to avoid being forced to race wide. He said as he did this HORACE'S CHOICE went forward with him which required him to make more use of his mount than he would have liked to cross that runner to lead on the rail. He said after reaching the lead he steadied the tempo on IRISH JIG. He said IRISH JIG in the early part of the Straight responded to his riding, however, over the final 150 Metres gave ground. He said it was not the pre-race plan to lead on IRISH JIG and the circumstances of the race required him to make more use of his mount in the early stages than he would have liked to avoid being left racing wide. C K Tong (HORACE’S CHOICE) said he was instructed to allow his mount to travel where it was comfortable which was anticipated to be about midfield. He said HORACE’S CHOICE began well and he did not push his mount to obtain a forward position. He said HORACE'S CHOICE continued to travel on the bridle in the early stages and as a consequence was positioned further forward than anticipated behind the leaders. When questioned regarding the poor performance of LAMBRO, Z Purton said his mount was not suited by the solid early tempo of the race as it was off the bridle throughout. He said in his opinion LAMBRO is better suited when able to travel which enables it to finish its races off. He said in the Straight today when placed under pressure LAMBRO did not respond in the manner in which it had in the past and over the concluding stages when tiring felt unbalanced in its action. LAMBRO and GREAT GUY were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of LAMBRO and GREAT GUY after the race did not show any significant findings. FAIR TRADE and FLEET COMMAND were sent for sampling.