13/11/2011  Shatin  Race 7

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that PURE FORCE had shifted its left front plate. This plate was refitted. PURE FORCE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. AL PRINCE was slow to begin. SMART GUY was slow to begin and then shortly after the start was crowded for room inside LUCKY FOLLOW ME which got its head on the side and shifted in. RED LUCKY STAR shifted out at the start, resulting in MANY GAINS being taken out onto APPRECIATION, causing those horses to become unbalanced. From a wide barrier, SUPREME TAIJI was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. In the early stages, SEA PRINCE was taken across behind runners. Also in the early stages, FATBOY SUGAR got its head up on a number of occasions when proving difficult to settle. Near the 850 Metres, SMART GUY and SEA PRINCE were crowded for room between ALL FRIENDS and APPRECIATION which was steadied when crowded for room inside LUCKY FOLLOW ME which got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. AL PRINCE, which was following, was hampered in consequence. In the circumstances, no action was taken. Rounding the Home Turn, LUCKY FOLLOW ME was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MONEYMAKER. At the entrance to the Straight, AL PRINCE was shifted in after being disappointed for running between MANY GAINS and SMART GUY. At the 400 Metres, RED LUCKY STAR was shifted to the inside of WAH MAY STAR when disappointed for running to the outside of that horse and inside MONEYMAKER. Passing the 50 Metres, LUCKY FOLLOW ME shifted in under pressure and brushed BEST ELEVEN. Throughout the race, PURE FORCE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, T Angland (MANY GAINS) stated that he had been instructed to obtain a position behind the leaders if possible. He said after being crowded for room at the start, MANY GAINS, despite being ridden along, was reluctant to improve its position. He said he had the opportunity to improve to be racing inside APPRECIATION after the 1000 Metres, however, MANY GAINS was not travelling well enough to take advantage of this run which resulted in MANY GAINS racing further back in the field than had been intended. When questioned, Z Purton stated that after having to be made use of in the early stages to cross from the outside barrier, WAH MAY STAR travelled comfortably in a position outside the leader, BEST ELEVEN. He said rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight WAH MAY STAR was travelling strongly and he felt the horse was in a winning position. He said he placed WAH MAY STAR under pressure approaching the 350 Metres, however, WAH MAY STAR did not quicken as he thought it would. He said near the 150 Metres WAH MAY STAR commenced to “climb” in its action and shifted in. He said because of this he felt that something may have gone amiss with WAH MAY STAR given how strongly it had travelled throughout the race which prompted him to look down the left hand side of the horse on two occasions near the 100 Metres. He said because of the manner in which WAH MAY STAR was travelling at this time and because he held concerns over the horse’s action, he did not ride it out to the end of the race. He did say that although he did not ride the horse out over the final 100 Metres, he felt that it was not going to finish in the prizemoney at this time. In the circumstances, the Stewards ruled that prior to being permitted to race again, WAH MAY STAR will be required to undergo a satisfactory official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Z Purton was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, wherever circumstances permit, he should ride his mounts out to the end of the race at least hands and heels. A veterinary inspection of WAH MAY STAR after the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY FOLLOW ME and BEST ELEVEN were sent for sampling.