01/01/2010  Shatin  Race 3

NICE KING was withdrawn on 30.12.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter CHEEKY LAD (B Prebble). Before being allowed to race again, NICE KING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PUBLIC FIGURE shifted in at the start, resulting in SPEEDY being tightened for room between that horse and CARE FREE MIDAS. THE RIFLE and BRAVO WINNER bumped at the start. Near the 1000 Metres, PUBLIC FIGURE was steadied when tightened for room between CARE FREE MIDAS and KING ACRYLIC which, after shifting in of its own accord, was carried in slightly by POWER AND GOLD. No further action was taken. SPEEDY was momentarily held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Near the 150 Metres, PUBLIC FIGURE, which was laying in, was steadied away from the heels of GREAT UNITY (J Victoire) which shifted out. J Victoire was advised to exercise care in future. Passing the 100 Metres, BRAVO WINNER was steadied away from the heels of PUBLIC FIGURE. When questioned, Apprentice K C Leung said he was instructed to obtain a forward position from the outside barrier on HIGH INTELLIGENT, but if possible not to make too much use of the horse to do so. He said he was further instructed if horses drawn to the inside showed superior speed, he should not ride HIGH INTELLIGENT along vigorously to cross those horses. He stated that he rode HIGH INTELLIGENT along for the first 200 Metres to obtain a forward position, however, HIGH INTELLIGENT did not show sufficient speed to cross horses to its inside which were ridden along to maintain their positions. He said therefore he elected to try and obtain a position behind POWER AND GOLD, but was unable to do so due to PUBLIC FIGURE improving to his inside. He said therefore HIGH INTELLIGENT was required to race four wide and without cover throughout the race. When questioned, W Pike (NOBLE DE BEST) said that after the 600 Metres he shifted his mount out from behind PUBIC FIGURE to follow POWER AND GOLD. He said he considered shifting out from behind POWER AND GOLD to follow HIGH INTELLIGENT rounding the Home Turn, however, he had observed that HIGH INTELLIGENT had raced wide and without cover throughout the race and felt that that horse may commence to give ground shortly after entering the Straight which would allow him the opportunity to shift out. He said for this reason he allowed AMAZING FLYER to improve its position around NOBLE DE BEST rounding the Home Turn. He added however POWER AND GOLD did not take him into the race as he expected and for this reason he was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING FLYER after the race did not show any significant findings, however, the Veterinary Officer reported that the horse was unable to be scoped. The performance of AMAZING FLYER, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, AMAZING FLYER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. THE RIFLE, KING ACRYLIC and CHEEKY LAD were sent for sampling.