15/05/2011  Shatin  Race 5

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that YUAN’S FORTUNE had lost its right front plate. This plate was refitted. YUAN’S FORTUNE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. STARLIT WARRIOR, which was leaning against the inside of its stall, began awkwardly. JADE PINS was slow to begin. For some distance along the Back Straight, SUPER HORSE proved difficult to settle in the lead. When questioned regarding his riding of WATCH FIRST in the Straight, particularly over the concluding stages, T Angland said that immediately on straightening WATCH FIRST commenced to hang in badly. He said each time he commenced to ride the horse along, it got its head on the side and shifted ground which placed him at a significant disadvantage. He said due to the manner in which WATCH FIRST was hanging in, he was continually obliged to stop riding the horse in an attempt to straighten it. He added due to the restricted manner in which he was able to ride WATCH FIRST out in the Straight, he was not aware of where horses were placed to his immediate inside, rather his primary focus was on attempting to have WATCH FIRST maintain a straight course. He said because of this he was not able to ride WATCH FIRST out fully, particularly over the concluding stages when the horse hung in badly. T Angland was advised that whilst the Stewards conceded that WATCH FIRST had hung in in the Straight and had proved difficult to ride, nonetheless he was reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out right to the end of the race to the best of his ability given the prevailing circumstances. The racing manners of WATCH FIRST were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, WATCH FIRST will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of YUAN’S FORTUNE, Y T Cheng stated that after being replated behind the barriers, the horse became very unsettled and sweated up quite baldy. He said he had been instructed to ride the horse in a midfield position which was consistent with the manner in which he had been instructed to ride the horse in recent starts. He said in the early stages he attempted to shift behind SUPER GENKI to obtain cover behind that horse, however, SUPER BOBO maintained its position behind that horse and YUAN’S FORTUNE was left racing wide and without cover. He added after the 800 Metres he rode YUAN’S FORTUNE along in an attempt to obtain a closer position as he felt the leaders of the race were getting away from YUAN’S FORTUNE at that time. He said YUAN’S FORTUNE responded satisfactorily to his riding until after the 400 Metres, however, the horse quickly came off the bridle and then was most disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of YUAN’S FORTUNE after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that MR TOPAZ had lost its left hind plate. YUAN’S FORTUNE, SUPER HORSE and LET’S GOAL were sent for sampling.