31/01/2010  Shatin  Race 2

FOREST STAR was slow to begin and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of LOADS OF JOY which shifted out. At the entrance to the Straight, LOADS OF JOY and YOU GOTTA PAY bumped, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Near the 350 Metres, GOOD JOB was steadied away from the heels of VIVA GUY which commenced to tire. Throughout the race, RACING LEGEND got its head on the side and lay out and in the Straight proved difficult to ride out. When questioned, Apprentice K W Leung (VIVA GUY) stated that he had been instructed to lead if possible. He said as the start was effected, VIVA GUY put its head down and consequently was very slow to begin. He said as a result of this he lost the use of his left stirrup iron for a short distance after the start. He said as he was instructed to go forward on VIVA GUY, he elected to allow the horse to use its natural early speed and improve around the field rather than take it across behind runners as he had been advised that it had raced greenly when ridden in this manner in the past. Apprentice Leung was advised whilst the Stewards were mindful that he had been instructed to go forward, he had not used sufficient judgement on the horse on this occasion after being very slow to begin. He was further advised that in the future, if he is unable to ride to instructions due to the circumstances of the race, he must take alternative measures to ensure that his horse is given every possible chance to run its best race. When questioned, W C Marwing stated that as LUCKY SELECTION was having only its second attempt over 1200 Metres today and had weakened after leading at its previous start over this distance, he had been instructed to have the horse racing behind the speed in about a midfield position if possible. He said LUCKY SELECTION began well and near the 1100 Metres he had hoped to take up a position behind RACING LEGEND, however, that horse shifted out and when being steadied away from the heels of RACING LEGEND, LUCKY SELECTION commenced to get its head up and proved difficult to settle. He said as HIGH LUCK, which had drawn to LUCKY SELECTION’s outside, was showing superior speed, he elected to allow that horse to cross and he had hoped to obtain a trailing position behind HIGH LUCK. He added however LUCKY SELECTION continued to prove very difficult to settle, got its head up on a number of occasions and making the first turn commenced to hang out across the heels of INFALLIBLE CHOICE. He said for this reason LUCKY SELECTION raced further back in the field than had been intended. He said he commenced to ride LUCKY SELECTION along prior to the Home Turn to have it improve its position and, in his opinion, the horse finished off the race reasonably well given the tempo of the race and the fact that LUCKY SELECTION was obliged to race further back in the field than had been anticipated. A veterinary inspection of FOREST STAR and RACING LEGEND after the race did not show any significant findings. YOU GOTTA PAY and SOHNA were sent for sampling.