06/03/2011  Shatin  Race 2

Prior to horses entering the track, G Mossé (POWER DRIFTER) advised that he was feeling somewhat dehydrated and for this reason was late to mount POWER DRIFTER. On arrival at the Start, G Mossé was examined by the Club’s medical officers who advised that he was fit to fulfil his riding engagement in this race. After the race, G Mossé was again examined by the Club’s medical officers who said he was fit to fulfil his remaining riding engagements. MIRAGE R was slow to begin and after this was taken across behind runners. Shortly after the start, SPINNAKER got its head on the side and shifted in away from HANDSOME BATCHELOR, resulting in POWER DRIFTER, DASH AHEAD and RAIN OF THUNDER all being badly crowded for room. For some distance approaching and passing the 1400 Metres, SPINNAKER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOODVIEW SUCCESSOR. Passing the 300 Metres, HANDSOME BATCHELOR and FINEZZA bumped due to HANDSOME BATCHELOR shifting out to obtain clear running. Apprentice T H So (DASH AHEAD) was warned against the practice of using the whip unnecessarily on a horse out of contention. G Cheyne (SPINNAKER) explained that approaching the 1100 Meters SPINNAKER commenced to travel keenly and shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOODVIEW SUCCESSOR. He said when this happened, CHEERFUL DOUBLE improved its position inside SPINNAKER passing the 1000 Metres and for this reason he was not able to shift back in behind GOODVIEW SUCCESSOR. He said as a consequence SPINNAKER was left racing wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. When questioned, G Mossé stated that he had been instructed to ride POWER DRIFTER in a forward position if possible. He said he rode his mount along aggressively in the early stages to take up a forward position, however, POWER DRIFTER failed to muster speed and consequently raced further back than had been intended. He said that throughout the early and middle stages POWER DRIFTER hung in. He added that he placed POWER DRIFTER under pressure prior to the 600 Metres to have it improve its position and used the whip on the horse rounding the Home Turn as it was not responding to his riding. He said he rode POWER DRIFTER along in the early part of the Straight, the horse then got its head on the side and hung out. He said that when POWER DRIFTER commenced to hang out, the horse felt uncomfortable in its action and as it was out of contention, he put the whip away and just slapped it down the shoulder in the run to the line. He added at no stage of today’s race did POWER DRIFTER respond to his riding and, in his opinion, was disappointing. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that DASH AHEAD had bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of MIRAGE R, FAT DRAGON and POWER DRIFTER after the race did not show any significant findings. GOODVIEW SUCCESSOR and HANDSOME BATCHELOR were sent for sampling.