20/03/2013  Shatin  Race 7

CULTURAL CITY began very awkwardly, shifted out abruptly at the start and as a consequence had to be checked away from the heels of CHAMPAGNE DAYS, resulting in the horse losing ground. I SMELL MONEY and CHEERS JOY were crowded for room at the start between EURO SWIFTLY and GREAT RENOWN which shifted out. Near the 1750 Metres, EURO SWIFTLY was momentarily steadied away from the heels of CHAMPAGNE DAYS. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, CHAMPAGNE DAYS shifted out after being steadied to avoid the heels of WIN ALONG which, despite the efforts of its rider, got its head on the side and shifted in away from XILAI XIANZI. Near the 900 Metres, HORSE APLENTY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHAMPAGNE DAYS. Passing the 800 Metres, CULTURAL CITY was checked away from the heels of EURO SWIFTLY which itself was awkwardly placed close to the heels of VAUGIRARD. For some distance passing the 200 Metres, CULTURAL CITY was badly held up for clear running when unable to continue improving between LEO’S PRIDE and HORSE APLENTY. Near the 150 Metres, CULTURAL CITY was then shifted to the outside of LEO’S PRIDE to obtain clear running. Over the concluding stages, CULTURAL CITY shifted out under pressure. In the Straight, XILAI XIANZI got its head on the side and lay out. For the majority of the race, XILAI XIANZI travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, D Whyte stated that at its most recent start he believed that he had got to the front too soon on HORSE APLENTY and the horse was not able to sustain its run over the concluding stages. He said with HORSE APLENTY stepping up in distance to 1800 Metres for the first time, he was asked to ride the horse in about 3rd or 4th position if possible from the outside barrier so as to ensure that it would be able to see out the distance of tonight’s race. He said in the early stages it became apparent to him that the tempo of the race would be good in the early stages as there were a number of horses being hard ridden to obtain forward positions. He said whilst FLYING UNICORN had begun only fairly to the inside of HORSE APLENTY, that horse was soon ridden along to make up lost ground and he believed that he would have had to ride HORSE APLENTY along to clear that horse which would have been against his instructions. He said when there continued to be a line of horses to his inside in the early stages, approaching the 1600 Metres he elected to shift HORSE APLENTY in behind those runners which were obtaining forward positions and he hoped to obtain a position in about midfield. He said however that passing the winning post on the first occasion he was left racing wide and then was taken wider by CHAMPAGNE DAYS when that horse shifted out. He added that rather than covering unnecessary ground, he elected to steady HORSE APLENTY and shift across to race behind CHAMPAGNE DAYS but closer to the rail. A veterinary inspection of I SMELL MONEY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HEAR THE ROAR, CULTURAL CITY, XILAI XIANZI and CHAMPAGNE DAYS were sent for sampling.