06/03/2010  Shatin  Race 2

TOUCH LUCKY began awkwardly and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of VIVA GUY which was taken out by FLEETING QUALITY which in turn was taken out by SMART CHOICE which shifted out away from the heels of EXPLODING. MY WAY was slow to begin. In the early stages, GLORY got its head up when proving difficult to settle. Approaching the 600 Metres, MY WAY got its head on the side slightly and shifted out. A short distance later, MY WAY struck the heels of WELL NOTED and blundered badly, causing its rider, M Chadwick, to be almost dislodged. When MY WAY blundered, it shifted out, resulting in SMART CHOICE and FLEETING QUALITY being hampered. Throughout the race, EXPLODING travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. When questioned, K H Yu (TOUCH LUCKY) stated that his saddle slipped backwards during the preliminary which required the horse to be re-saddled on arrival at the barriers. He said after being re-saddled, he examined his saddle and was satisfied with its placement. He said as he had been instructed to take up a forward position if possible, he rode TOUCH LUCKY along with the whip in the early stages to assume a prominent position. He said shortly after the start his saddle again slipped backwards, placing him at a considerable disadvantage and he was not able to continue to ride his mount properly for the remainder of the race. He said near the 300 Metres his saddle commenced to shift to the left. He said he therefore placed weight on his right stirrup to correct his saddle, however, his right foot slipped from the iron, resulting in him being unbalanced and being dislodged from TOUCH LUCKY. K H Yu was subsequently examined by the Club`s doctor who advised that he was fit to fulfil his remaining riding engagements. A veterinary inspection of EXPLODING and TOUCH LUCKY after the race did not show any significant findings. AMEDEO and WELL NOTED were sent for sampling.