25/01/2012  Shatin  Race 6

At declaration time, Apprentice C Y Ho was declared as the rider of both SOLDIER and WINSOME. It was established that Apprentice Ho had a firm commitment to ride SOLDIER. As such, the Stewards permitted C K Tong to be substituted as the rider of WINSOME. For this declaration error, Trainer C Fownes was fined $2,000. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, BILLION failed to muster speed. At the 800 Metres, GOOD GAINS got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GLOBAL FAME. After the 800 Metres, JOYFUL WINNER II was left racing wide and without cover. After the 700 Metres, SOLDIER got its head on the side and hung out. Over the final 200 Metres, GREAT PEGASUS shifted out under pressure. After the 200 Metres, DRAGON CHOICE and FORTUNE BRAVO bumped on a number of occasions. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GLOBAL FAME, T Angland stated that GLOBAL FAME was standing awkwardly as the start was effected and because of this was slow to begin. He said GLOBAL FAME was then hampered shortly after the start when crowded for room between SCENT OF OSMANTHUS and WINSOME which shifted in. He said after this he rode GLOBAL FAME along to make up lost ground, however, the horse did not show any early speed and consequently got out of its ground in the early stages. He said he was obliged to ride GLOBAL FAME along throughout the race in an attempt to have it maintain its position and not at any point of today’s race did GLOBAL FAME travel comfortably. He added GLOBAL FAME did make up some ground in the Straight, however, the horse finished off the race, in his opinion, only fairly. He said he did recommend to connections that they consider adding blinkers to the horse’s gear when it races in the future in an endeavour to have it race more genuinely. A veterinary inspection of GLOBAL FAME and SCENT OF OSMANTHUS after the race did not show any significant findings. GLOBAL FAME, GREAT PEGASUS and LUCKY CHEVALIER were sent for sampling.