03/11/2010  Shatin  Race 5

PRECISION MAGIC was crowded for room at the start between FLORAL PICASSO and CHATER D’CAT which was taken out by PRIME TARGET. From wide barriers, MY HOME TOWN and BLESSING were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, CHATER D’CAT was steadied away from the heels of PRIME TARGET. Passing the 300 Metres, TEAM WORK, which was giving ground quickly, was steadied when crowded for room between PRIME TARGET which was taken out by MANDARIN which was giving ground and VIVA GUY which was obtaining a tight run between TEAM WORK and FLORAL PICASSO. In this incident, VIVA GUY was crowded for room and bumped the hindquarters of FLORAL PICASSO which became unbalanced. Over the final 200 Metres, LONGWAH RISING got its head on the side and hung out. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident occurred over the final 100 Metres which caused doubt as to the final placings of the race. After viewing the available videos, the Stewards believed this was not an appropriate case in which they should exercise their powers under Rule 123 and accordingly weighed-in was semaphored confirming the Judge’s placings. The Stewards found that near the 100 Metres MY HOME TOWN and BUCCANEER (C K Tong) made contact as a result of BUCCANEER shifting in and MY HOME TOWN being brushed by PRECISION MAGIC after initially being shifted out of its own accord. In this incident, C K Tong stopped riding and corrected BUCCANEER. Then over the concluding stages, MY HOME TOWN and BUCCANEER bumped due to both horses shifting ground when racing tight. When questioned, Y T Cheng stated that from the widest barrier he had to make considerable use of TEAM WORK in the early stages to take up a forward position as instructed. He said passing the 1400 Metres TEAM WORK was racing wide and without cover, therefore he allowed the horse to improve in an attempt to obtain a position closer to the rail. He said on entering the Back Straight he was racing in a three wide position to the outside of MANDARIN, he did give some thought to continuing on in an attempt to clear MANDARIN, however, he felt that the rider of that horse was intent on maintaining his position to the outside of the leader, QUANTUM EXPRESS. He said having in mind the work he had to do on TEAM WORK until that point of the race, he did not believe it was reasonable to continue to ride TEAM WORK in an endeavour to cross MANDARIN as he would have had to make considerable use of the horse to do so. He said for this reason he made the decision to remain racing three wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. QUANTUM EXPRESS, MY HOME TOWN and LONGWAH RISING were sent for sampling.