06/12/2009  Shatin  Race 9

AMBITIOUS OWNER was slow to begin and then shortly after the start was checked when crowded for room between GALLANT GALLOP and QUELLE SURPRISE which shifted in. After this, AMBITIOUS OWNER travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. The performance of AMBITIOUS OWNER, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, AMBITIOUS OWNER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Near the 1100 Metres, FULL PACK became unbalanced when crowded for room inside RIBOT LEGEND which, when awkwardly placed close to the heels of RARE TREASURE, was taken in slightly by NUGGET WARRIOR which itself was steadied away from the heels of QUELLE SURPRISE which shifted in slightly. For some distance after this, FULL PACK continued to be unbalanced when racing in restricted room inside RIBOT LEGEND. Making the first turn, NUGGET WARRIOR became unbalanced when crowded for room between AMBITIOUS OWNER and RIBOT LEGEND which shifted out after being bumped by FULL PACK. In this incident, AMBITIOUS OWNER also became unbalanced. RARE TREASURE was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Near the 350 Metres, ALL TIME HIGH and MERIDIAN PRIDE bumped, resulting in ALL TIME HIGH becoming unbalanced. The performance of MERIDIAN PRIDE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MERIDIAN PRIDE will 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 regarding the disappointing performance of NUGGET WARRIOR, G Mossé stated that he had been instructed to ride the horse where it was comfortable, but not to make too much use of it in the early stages as it was stepping up to 1400 Metres today and it was felt that if use was made of NUGGET WARRIOR to obtain a forward position, the horse would not be able to finish off the race. He said NUGGET WARRIOR began awkwardly and was checked shortly after the start when crowded for room between VILASOL and RARE TREASURE which itself began awkwardly and shifted out. He said he then elected to allow the horse to become balanced in the early stages, however, approaching and rounding the first turn NUGGET WARRIOR raced in restricted room between AMBITIOUS OWNER and RIBOT LEGEND. He said after this NUGGET WARRIOR travelled only fairly, he placed it under pressure passing the 600 Metres, however, NUGGET WARRIOR did not respond to his riding and, in his opinion, was disappointing. Trainer C Fownes advised the Stewards that NUGGET WARRIOR had pleased him since its last start win and, having in mind the advice of G Mossé, it is now his intention to bring the horse back in distance if possible. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of RIBOT LEGEND, Apprentice M L Yeung stated that it had been intended for the horse to race in 2nd or 3rd position behind the leaders if possible. He said RIBOT LEGEND was slow to begin, therefore he elected to have it race where it was comfortable rather than ride the horse along in the early stages to make up lost ground. He said due to the manner in which RIBOT LEGEND began, the horse raced further back than had been anticipated. He said RIBOT LEGEND appeared to resent racing tight between NUGGET WARRIOR and FULL PACK for some distance approaching and rounding the first turn and after this commenced to hang out. He added he placed RIBOT LEGEND under pressure rounding the Home Turn, however, it continued to hang out in the Straight and was disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding. Trainer A Lee confirmed the intention had been to have RIBOT LEGEND racing behind the leaders if possible. He said he was unable to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of the horse as RIBOT LEGEND had done particularly well since its most recent start. He added that after viewing the replay of the race, he was concerned with the manner in which RIBOT LEGEND hung out during the race and he would monitor the horse’s progress in the subsequent days. A veterinary inspection of NUGGET WARRIOR, AMBITIOUS OWNER and RIBOT LEGEND after the race did not show any significant findings. RIBOT LEGEND, MOONWALK and QUELLE SURPRISE were sent for sampling.