20/02/2011  Shatin  Race 9

Near the 900 Metres, LET ME HANDLE IT was steadied away from the heels of LUCKY NINE. Passing the 600 Metres, LET ME HANDLE IT lost ground when racing tight between TREASURE LANDS and FREE JUDGEMENT, both of which shifted some ground. Rounding the Home Turn, XTENSION was bumped and taken wider by OUTDOOR PEGASUS (H W Lai) which shifted to the outside of AMBITIOUS DRAGON. H W Lai was reprimanded and advised to exercise care when shifting ground in future. H W Lai was also severely reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift out over the final 200 Metres, resulting in XTENSION being taken wider. Approaching the 200 Metres, TREASURE LANDS was checked away from the heels of MARK UP which was giving ground. Throughout the race, PURE CHAMPION travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of FREE JUDGEMENT, O Doleuze stated that, in his opinion, the horse appeared to resent racing amongst other horses. He said he had to make use of his mount to maintain its position approaching the 1000 Metres when racing between LET ME HANDLE IT and PURE CHAMPION as FREE JUDGEMENT was reluctant to hold its position between those horses. He said when AMBITIOUS DRAGON improved around FREE JUDGEMENT near the 600 Metres, his mount again came off the bridle and did not want to stretch out when amongst horses. He said, in his opinion, judging on the way FREE JUDGEMENT raced today, the horse may be better suited racing outside of runners. A veterinary inspection of FREE JUDGEMENT after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that XTENSION had lost its right front plate. AMBITIOUS DRAGON and LUCKY NINE were sent for sampling.