08/05/2010  Shatin  Race 10

GREEN JACKET began awkwardly and lost ground. At the 200 Metres, GLORY OF INDIA was steadied away from the heels of FEARLESS and then shifted to the inside of that horse to improve. Over the final 100 Metres, GLORY OF INDIA lay out and proved difficult to ride. For the majority of the race, SUPER CARDED travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding FEARLESS being ridden in a more forward position today, Trainer D E Ferraris stated that he had been disappointed with the finishing performances of the horse in its runs of late and therefore when the horse trialed on 20 April 2010, he instructed W C Marwing, who rode the horse on that occasion, to have it positioned more forward if possible. He said he was satisfied with the manner in which FEARLESS competed in that trial and therefore today it was decided for the horse to be ridden more forward than is usual. He said whilst he did not give W C Marwing any specific instructions on how FEARLESS should be ridden today, it had been hoped that the horse would be able to be ridden behind the pace if possible. He said the manner in which FEARLESS raced indicated to him that it was suited by being ridden more forward. When questioned regarding his riding of JOLLY GOOD, O Doleuze stated that he had been instructed to ride the horse quietly from barrier 14 and ensure it was relaxed so that it would be able to finish off the race. He said accordingly he shifted JOLLY GOOD across behind runners shortly after the start and raced in last position. He said passing the 700 Metres he considered shifting to the outside of MINGS’ HERO in an attempt to follow GREEN JACKET into the race, however, as MINGS’ HERO was racing away from the fence, he felt that had he had improved at this time MINGS’ HERO would have shifted out to follow GREEN JACKET which would have meant that JOLLY GOOD would be left racing wide and without cover. He said therefore he elected to remain racing behind MINGS’ HERO and rounding the Home Turn commenced to work his way to the outside. He said he slapped JOLLY GOOD down the shoulder with the whip rounding the Home Turn to have it improve its position. He said shortly after entering the Straight when shifted to the outside of GREEN JACKET, he commenced to ride the horse with the whip and JOLLY GOOD then finished off the race well. O Doleuze was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he should wherever possible not leave his horses with too much to do. Apprentice K C Leung stated that he had been instructed to lead on PACKING BUDDY if able, however, if horses showed superior pace, he should obtain a position behind the speed. He said PACKING BUDDY was slow to begin, he immediately noticed horses to his inside being ridden into forward positions, therefore he elected to shift PACKING BUDDY across behind runners and obtain a position with cover. He said this resulted in PACKING BUDDY racing further back than had been anticipated. When questioned, Y T Cheng stated that he was having his first ride on MINGS’ HERO today and had been instructed to ride the horse quietly in the early stages. He said near the 600 Metres he was positioned behind THE ONLY KID and GREEN JACKET. He said when those horses were ridden forward, he commenced to ride his mount along to improve his position. He added in the early part of the Straight MINGS’ HERO responded only fairly to his riding, however, over the final 200 Metres commenced to finish off the race well. He said near the 100 Metres he had some difficulty obtaining clear running when racing inside PACKING BUDDY and then over the concluding stages he was not able to fully test MINGS’ HERO when racing close to the heels of FEARLESS. A veterinary inspection of SUPER CARDED after the race did not show any significant findings. GLORY OF INDIA, MIGHTY HIGH and FEARLESS were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that FEARLESS had lost its left front plate.