27/02/2011  Shatin  Race 8

CONNOISSEUR’S PICK was withdrawn on 25.2.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, CONNOISSEUR’S PICK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After being loaded, VICTORY IDE SAY became fractious. Before being allowed to race again, VICTORY IDE SAY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. After the 1200 Metres, VICTORY IDE SAY was left racing wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. Rounding the Home Turn, HIGH COMMAND and NEW VISION raced tight. When questioned, W C Marwing stated that he had been instructed to shift NICE FOLKS across behind runners from the outside barrier and obtain cover on the horse and it was hoped that NICE FOLKS would be able to obtain a position in about midfield. He said in the early stages he shifted NICE FOLKS across behind the main body of the field, however, the horse was reluctant to stride out and for this reason he was obliged to commence to ride the horse along shortly after the start to improve its position. He said he continued to ride NICE FOLKS along in an attempt to obtain a closer position and passing the 800 Metres NICE FOLKS commenced to travel more kindly. He added that after briefly being held up for clear running behind SUNNY MORE in the early part of the Straight, NICE FOLKS then finished off the race well. Trainer C W Chang confirmed that he had intended for NICE FOLKS to be ridden more quietly than it was at its most recent start from a more favourable barrier as in his opinion and that of the rider of the horse on that occasion, NICE FOLKS had not finished off the race when ridden in a more prominent position. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GO LUCKY GO, O Doleuze stated that in the early stages his mount was somewhat reluctant to stride out. He said however that after the 1200 Metres GO LUCKY GO commenced to travel more generously. He said he shifted GO LUCKY GO to the outside of runners rounding the Home Turn, however, the horse responded only fairly to his riding and was disappointing. He did say, in his opinion, that the tempo of today’s race may not have suited GO LUCKY GO. A veterinary inspection of GO LUCKY GO after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of VICTORY IDE SAY after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that TRAVEL GUIDE had lost its left front plate. NEW VISION, HOT SHOT and JUST FANTASTIC were sent for sampling.