30/01/2011  Shatin  Race 4

BLEDISLOE began awkwardly and lost ground. SUPER STRIKE was slow to begin and then shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of THE ONLY KID which shifted out after being bumped by BUMPER STRIKE. Approaching the 1600 Metres, BLEDISLOE was steadied away from the heels of THE ONLY KID. For some distance passing the 1600 Metres, BREAKING POINT proved very difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of OUTTALIMITZ. Throughout the early and middle stages, GOODVIEW SUCCESSOR travelled wide and without cover. Passing the 800 Metres, BREAKING POINT was shifted out away from the heels of GOODVIEW SUCCESSOR, resulting in NOBLE FLIER being taken wider. Passing the 600 Metres, BLEDISLOE was steadied when attempting to obtain clear running between THE ONLY KID and SUPER STRIKE where there was insufficient room. In this incident, BLEDISLOE made contact with the hindquarters of SUPER STRIKE which became unbalanced. Rounding the Home Turn, GOODVIEW SUCCESSOR was held up behind BREAKING POINT and OUTTALIMITZ which at this time got its head on the side and commenced to give ground. GOODVIEW SUCCESSOR was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of BREAKING POINT for some distance in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 300 Metres, SURROUNDED raced in restricted room between BUMPER STRIKE and TOP DRAGON. Passing the 200 Metres, BLEDISLOE was bumped and taken wider by GOLDMEN Y Y which shifted out. Apprentice M L Yeung (OUTTALIMITZ) was warned against the practice of using the whip on horses which are clearly out of contention. When questioned, M Chadwick (POWER DRIFTER) said that he had been instructed, from barrier 13, to attempt to obtain a position in around 5th or 6th position. He said shortly after the start he rode POWER DRIFTER along to obtain a forward position, however, a number of horses were ridden to maintain their positions on his inside and passing the winning post on the first occasion he felt that he was going to be left racing very wide. He said for this reason he elected to steady POWER DRIFTER and obtain cover on the horse albeit in a position further back in the field than had been intended. He added approaching the 1600 Metres he was racing to the outside of SUPER STRIKE. He said that that horse got its head on the side and shifted out when it was awkwardly placed close to the heels of a runner in front, resulting in POWER DRIFTER being taken wider. He said therefore rather than continue to race wide, he elected to come back further on POWER DRIFTER to obtain cover. He said on entering the Back Straight POWER DRIFTER came off the bit and despite being ridden along did not travel well after this. He added, in his opinion, POWER DRIFTER is better suited by being able to be ridden in a more forward position than it was today, however, the circumstances of the race resulted in POWER DRIFTER having to race back in the field. A veterinary inspection of POWER DRIFTER after the race did not show any significant findings. GOODVIEW SUCCESSOR, GOLDMEN Y Y and THE ONLY KID were sent for sampling.