07/05/2011  Shatin  Race 2

KINGSTON SPARTACUS began awkwardly. EASY JOB and PROSPERITY bumped at the start. Near the 700 Metres, BULLISH CASH was checked away from the heels of SPEED RACER. Rounding the Home Turn, BULLISH CASH raced close to the heels of EASY JOB. When questioned, W M Lai advised that he had been instructed to ride KINGSTON SPARTACUS where it was comfortable. He said he was instructed not to ride the horse along to obtain a forward position, however, if the pace of the race was slow and the horse was able to be in a forward position without having to be ridden along, then he should obtain this position. He said KINGSTON SPARTACUS began only fairly and settled in a position behind midfield. He said in the early stages he was left racing wide and without cover when ABLE DRAGON maintained its position to his inside. He said when that horse went forward, KIDSLAND BABY improved its position inside KINGSTON SPARTACUS and for this reason he was not able to obtain cover on the horse. Trainer T K Ng stated that he had instructed W M Lai to ride the horse where it was comfortable as in previous starts when the horse was ridden to obtain a more forward position, it had not finished off its races as well as he had hoped. He said when ridden in the manner in which it was today, KINGSTON SPARTACUS was able to close off the race. Mr Ng was advised that the Stewards noted the tactics adopted on KINGSTON SPARTACUS today and they will note the manner in which the horse will be ridden in the future. W M Lai was advised that his explanation had been noted, however, in future he must make more effort than he did on this occasion to prevent his mount from travelling wide and therefore covering unnecessary ground. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SPEED RACER had lost its right hind plate. PROSPERITY and ABLE DRAGON were sent for sampling.