01/04/2012  Shatin  Race 10

WILLIE CAZALS shifted out at the start and bumped PACKING TYCOON. FREE JUDGEMENT and DRAGON FIGHTER bumped at the start and then a short distance after the start FREE JUDGEMENT was steadied away from the heels of DRAGON FIGHTER. Near the 1400 Metres, EARL OF LEITRIM was steadied when crowded for room between VICTOR DELIGHT and PACKING WHIZ (B Prebble) which shifted in. B Prebble was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. FINEZZA had difficulty obtaining clear running at the entrance to the Straight. At the entrance to the Straight, VICTOR DELIGHT was eased when crowded for room between WAH MAY STAR and PACKING TYCOON. Near the 200 Metres, WILLIE CAZALS was shifted in away from the heels of DRAGON FIGHTER to continue improving. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of A Suborics (FREE JUDGEMENT), 6th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse’s finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels to the end of the race where circumstances permit. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of EARL OF LEITRIM, D Whyte said that his mount began only fairly. He said although EARL OF LEITRIM was crowded for room near the 1400 Metres, it was somewhat reluctant to maintain its position at this stage. He said he was not able to shift in on EARL OF LEITRIM after this and after the 1200 Metres was left racing wide and without cover. He said he therefore allowed EARL OF LEITRIM to improve its position after the 1000 Metres. He said after improving its position, EARL OF LEITRIM then travelled three wide and without cover, however, at the 600 Metres he was able to shift EARL OF LEITRIM in behind I SMELL MONEY to obtain cover. He said no sooner did he do this than DRAGON FIGHTER shifted out which resulted in EARL OF LEITRIM being taken wider. He said in the Straight EARL OF LEITRIM was disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground. He added although the circumstances of today’s race required EARL OF LEITRIM to race wide, nonetheless the horse was disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of EARL OF LEITRIM and I SMELL MONEY after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, M L Yeung (DRAGON FIGHTER) said that near the 100 Metres his mount became badly unbalanced in its action. A veterinary inspection of DRAGON FIGHTER after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, DRAGON FIGHTER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. EARL OF LEITRIM, PACKING WHIZ and WAH MAY STAR were sent for sampling.