12/03/2011  Shatin  Race 10

CHEER, which was leaning on the outside of its stall, began awkwardly. When being taken across behind runners in the early stages, BUSINESS AS USUAL proved very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions. BUSINESS AS USUAL then continued to over-race in the middle stages. Passing the 1400 Metres, INTERCHINA STAR was steadied when racing in restricted room inside BEAUTY FOREVER which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of HOT SHOT. This resulted in INTERCHINA STAR racing further back in the field. K H Yu (CHEER) dropped his whip near the 350 Metres. Passing the 300 Metres, DESTINED FOR GLORY was momentarily held up on the heels of BEAUTY FOREVER when being directed to the inside to find clear running. Throughout the race, FLYING BLUE travelled wide and without cover. B Prebble stated that MARK UP proved very difficult to settle in the early and middle stages and because of this was not able to close off the race. The Stewards questioned Trainer J Moore regarding the instructions issued to G Cheyne, the rider of SOARING DRAGON. He said it was his opinion there was no real speed in today’s race and therefore he instructed Jockey Cheyne to be positive on the horse in the early stages and to remain racing wide. He said he gave these instructions to allow Jockey Cheyne the option of positioning SOARING DRAGON behind runners if the pace was good in the early stages, however, if there was no early speed, it would provide him with the opportunity to go forward. Mr Moore was advised that his explanation had been noted but that he has an obligation to have horses trained by him ridden in a consistent manner where circumstances permit. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SOARING DRAGON had lost its left front plate. A veterinary inspection of MARK UP after the race did not show any significant findings. FLYING BLUE and HOT SHOT were sent for sampling.