07/06/2009  Shatin  Race 9

GALEN WIN was withdrawn on 5.6.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore left fore fetlock) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter PRESTO (C W Wong). Before being allowed to race again, GALEN WIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WALKONTHEWILDSIDE, which was standing with its head turned to the right, was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, CLEMENT ELITE was checked when crowded for room between PRESTO and UNION’S STAR, both of which shifted ground. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, QUICK TOUCH was slow to muster speed, then approaching the 1200 Metres when left racing wide was steadied and taken back. After the 1200 Metres, PRESTO was steadied when crowded for room inside ABOVE ALL which in turn was crowded for room inside WHITE JADE which shifted in while proving difficult to settle. Shortly after this, QUICK TOUCH was checked severely away from the heels of WHITE JADE (D Beadman) which when continuing to prove difficult to settle and was shifting out to relieve pressure to runners on its inside shifted ground abruptly. D Beadman was told to exercise care. At the 600 Metres, PRESTO was steadied when crowded for room between WHITE JADE and WALKONTHEWILDSIDE (B Doyle) which shifted out when not clear. B Doyle was reprimanded and told to exercise care. After the 100 Metres, CLASSA, which was giving ground, was steadied when momentarily crowded for room between SURVEY SURVEY and PRESTO which shifted out. D Beadman (WHITE JADE) explained from a wide draw it had been anticipated his mount would be able to obtain a position with cover in a three wide line. He said WHITE JADE began well and as it was anticipated O’REILLY RALLY which had drawn several horses inside him would go forward in the race, he elected to immediately steady his mount and shift across in an endeavour to get it into a position to follow O’REILLY RALLY forward. He said when he did this WHITE JADE over-raced and proved very difficult for him to settle. He said approaching the turn at the 800 Metres he obtained a position behind O’REILLY RALLY in the three wide line, however, that horse did not continue forward as he had anticipated. He said as a consequence WHITE JADE travelled slightly worse than midfield. He said making the turn after the 800 Metres O’REILLY RALLY did not maintain its position and as a consequence WHITE JADE which was continuing to prove difficult to settle was carried back in the field to be near the rear on straightening. He said on straightening WALKONTHEWILDSIDE shifted out when barely clear of him and as a consequence he had to momentarily steady WHITE JADE. He said after this when placed under pressure WHITE JADE initially did not quicken, however, near the 250 Metres commenced to make ground. He said at the 250 Metres he was obliged to steady WHITE JADE and shift in away from the heels of CLEMENT ELITE which was giving ground. He said WHITE JADE finished the race off only evenly and in his opinion this was due to the manner in which the horse raced in the early and middle stages. When questioned, Apprentice M Chadwick (O’REILLY RALLY) said he had been instructed to have his mount as handy as possible without making use of it in the early stages. He said he was asked to have O’REILLY RALLY relaxed in the middle stages and to ride the horse out in the Home Straight. He said O’REILLY RALLY began well, he allowed it to travel forward at its own speed and at the 1100 Metres he steadied in an endeavour to obtain a position with cover behind UNION’S STAR. He said when he did this CLASSA held its position to his inside and prevented him from shifting in, he therefore travelled three wide and without cover. He said in the middle stages he allowed O’REILLY RALLY to relax as instructed and because of the manner in which the race was run the horse lost ground which enabled SURVEY SURVEY to shift out and improve on his inside. He said making the Home Turn he endeavoured to have O’REILLY RALLY balanced and at this time WALKONTHEWILDSIDE was also able to shift out and improve on his inside. He said in the Home Straight when placed under pressure O’REILLY RALLY closed the race off evenly. Apprentice Chadwick was told his riding in the middle stages had come under notice and in the opinion of the Stewards this ride was not one of his better ones. He was further told he must ensure he rides his mounts in a competitive manner at all stages of the race. WHITE JADE was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. KING ENCOSTA and QUICK TOUCH were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of WHITE JADE, KING ENCOSTA and QUICK TOUCH after the race did not show any significant findings. ROMPING and FLEET COMMAND were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that CLASSA had sustained a cut to the right front cannon.