15/05/2011  Shatin  Race 9

At the 50 Metres, SUPREME WIN was steadied away from the heels of ROMANTIC CITY which was shifting ground. After this, SUPREME WIN was directed to the inside of ROMANTIC CITY. Then over the concluding stages, SUPREME WIN and SHINING VICTORY raced in restricted room between CALIFORNIA CHOICE and ROMANTIC CITY. When questioned, Y T Cheng stated that over the final 400 Metres AT MOMENT IN TIME got its head on the side and lay in. He said at the 300 Metres a clear run became available between AMEDEO and ROMANTIC CITY and he rode AT MOMENT IN TIME along in an endeavour to take advantage of this run. He said however that ROMANTIC CITY shifted out under pressure and for this reason AT MOMENT IN TIME was disappointed for running. He said he then became aware that clear running was available to the outside of AMEDEO and he attempted to position AT MOMENT IN TIME to take that run, however, the horse continued to hang in and was reluctant to shift to the outside of AMEDEO. He added he made two attempts to have AT MOMENT IN TIME shift to the outside of AMEDEO, however, despite his endeavours, the horse would not come to the outside. He said therefore he attempted to find clear running between AMEDEO and ROMANTIC CITY, however, due to AMEDEO shifting in, he was not able to do so and because of this AT MOMENT IN TIME could not be ridden out over the concluding stages. When questioned, B Prebble (LONDON CHINA TOWN) said because of the good early tempo, LONDON CHINA TOWN was off the bridle early in the race and consequently got out of its ground. He said he rode LONDON CHINA TOWN along from the 800 Metres to have it improve its position. He said at the 600 Metres he shifted to the inside of NIGHTLIGN to follow SUPREME WIN through and commenced to ride his mount along from the 500 Metres so as to ensure that it was able to follow SUPREME WIN forward. He added approaching the 300 Metres after being held up for clear running behind SUPREME WIN, he considered shifting to the inside of that horse, however, as he was doing this, SUPREME WIN shifted in, therefore he directed LONDON CHINA TOWN to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running. He said after the 200 Metres he was unsure as to whether AT MOMENT IN TIME was going to shift to the inside of AMEDEO and for this reason he was reluctant to be fully committed to riding LONDON CHINA TOWN out, however, as soon as he was comfortable that AT MOMENT IN TIME was not in a position to shift to the outside of AMEDEO, he rode LONDON CHINA TOWN along vigorously over the concluding stages. He added that had he been able to obtain clear running sooner than he did, in his opinion, LONDON CHINA TOWN would have finished in a more forward position. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that EL MORRO had bled from both nostrils and had sustained abrasions to both hind legs as a result of being galloped on. CALIFORNIA CHOICE, BLAZE KING and AMEDEO were sent for sampling.