25/01/2012  Shatin  Race 3

STEP HIGH was withdrawn on 24.1.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SHINING TREASURES (Z Purton). Before being allowed to race again, STEP HIGH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. From wide barriers, GRAND CHAMPION and FORTUNE SIX were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Throughout the race, REALLY THE BEST travelled wide and without cover. The performances of CRIMSON and LUCKY SUPREME, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CRIMSON and LUCKY SUPREME will both be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, K C Leung stated that he had been instructed to position CAPITAL CHAMPION in 5th or 6th placing and that he should remain racing one horse off the rail if possible. He said after being slow to begin, he was obliged to steady CAPITAL CHAMPION when crowded for room between SHINING TREASURES and LUCKY SUPREME which shifted in. He said this resulted in CAPITAL CHAMPION racing further back than had been intended. He said he rode his mount along in the early stages to make up lost ground and near the 1100 Metres was able to position CAPITAL CHAMPION on the back of WHITE HART KING. He said although it was available to him to improve his position to the inside of WHITE HART KING, as he had been instructed to remain racing away from the fence, he continued to maintain the position behind WHITE HART KING. He said this allowed GRAND CHAMPION the opportunity to improve to the inside of CAPITAL CHAMPION after the 600 Metres. He added passing the 600 Metres he attempted to shift to the outside of WHITE HART KING, however, SHINING TREASURES maintained its position to his outside and for this reason he was not able to shift out. He said at the entrance to the Straight he was obliged to shift CAPITAL CHAMPION in away from the heels of CRIMSON which commenced to give ground abruptly. He said because of this he was left with no option but to shift CAPITAL CHAMPION inwards towards the fence due to these circumstances. Trainer P F Yiu confirmed that he had instructed K C Leung to remain racing one horse off the fence so as to provide it with the option to either shift in or out to obtain clear running making the Home Turn. He said whilst he provided these instructions to Jockey Leung, he did not consider that Jockey Leung was under binding instructions to remain one horse off the fence and he felt that Jockey Leung should have availed himself of the opportunity to improve inside WHITE HART KING in the middle stages which would have afforded CAPITAL CHAMPION the opportunity to improve its position. K C Leung was advised that wherever possible, whilst fulfilling his instructions, he should avail himself of the opportunity to improve his position where circumstances allow. After the race, Apprentice K C Ng reported that despite riding LAMBRO vigorously along in the early stages, the horse did not stretch out and gave ground. He said he continued to ride LAMBRO along after the 1200 Metres, however, the horse became detached from the field. He said after the 1000 Metres he eased LAMBRO down. A veterinary inspection of LAMBRO after the race, which finished tailed out, revealed the horse to be lame in the left hind leg. Before being allowed to race again, LAMBRO will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SHINING TREASURES after the race did not show any significant findings. CAPITAL CHAMPION, SUPER CAGA and NEW ASIA RISING were sent for sampling.