13/11/2011  Shatin  Race 9

Shortly after the start, FINEZZA and BOUNCER were crowded for room between SCARLET CAMELLIA and AMAZING SUPERNOVA which shifted out after initially being taken out by PUBLIC FIGURE. Near the 1400 Metres, WEALTH PARK was steadied when crowded for room inside SCARLET CAMELLIA (Z Purton) which shifted in. Z Purton was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. Near the 1100 Metres, SUNNY MORE commenced to over-race and got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of PUBLIC FIGURE. Near the 700 Metres, GOODVIEW SUCCESSOR was steadied away from the heels of I SMELL MONEY. LOMBARDI was held up for clear running at the entrance to the Straight. Throughout the race, WEALTH PARK and AMAZING SUPERNOVA travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, M Du Plessis stated that as he had ridden the horse at its last two runs when successful, he was not given any firm instructions on how ATHENIUM should be ridden today, however, it was anticipated that the horse would race in a position behind midfield as it had previously closed off its race strongly when ridden in this manner. He said in the early stages he followed INDIGO WAY, however, as the tempo of the race was not fast, he attempted to shift out from behind that horse near the 800 Metres and follow FINEZZA which he believed to be a good chance in the race. He added carrying 133 lbs today, he did not want ATHENIUM to be left flat-footed when the pace quickened and he felt it would be to the horse’s advantage if he were able to follow FINEZZA into the race. He said as he shifted to the outside of INDIGO WAY in an attempt to follow FINEZZA, INDIGO WAY also shifted out which resulted in ATHENIUM being taken wide. He said although he was taken into a position four wide at this time, he was still able to maintain cover behind AMAZING SUPERNOVA. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of HONEY FORTUNE, B Doyle stated that he had been instructed to obtain a position in 5th or 6th, however, HONEY FORTUNE travelled too strongly in the early stages and he was not able to get the horse to settle and obtain the position as instructed. He said because of the manner in which HONEY FORTUNE travelled in the early stages, the horse was obliged to race outside the leader, PUBLIC FIGURE which was more forward than had been intended. He added because of the manner in which HONEY FORTUNE travelled, the filly was not able to see out the distance of today’s race which it was attempting for the first time in Hong Kong. He said having in mind the way HONEY FORTUNE travelled today, he recommended to the connections that they consider dropping HONEY FORTUNE back in distance in its future races. A veterinary inspection of HONEY FORTUNE after the race did not show any significant findings other than the horse had lost its left front plate. When questioned, J Lloyd (SUNNY MORE) stated that he had been instructed to ride his mount in 2nd or 3rd position if possible. He said in the early stages he had the opportunity to shift in to a position to be racing on the rail behind PUBLIC FIGURE, however, he elected to remain racing one horse off the fence behind HONEY FORTUNE as he felt that this horse would be more likely to take him into the race than PUBLIC FIGURE. He added that by remaining racing in a one-off position, it afforded SUNNY MORE the opportunity to shift out and improve into the race prior to the Home Turn whereas had he have shifted to the fence and followed PUBLIC FIGURE, he felt that he may be held up for clear running if that horse commenced to give ground. He said that after racing in a one-off position behind HONEY FORTUNE, he shifted to the outside of that horse after the 600 Metres when WEALTH PARK improved to his outside, however, SUNNY MORE quickly came under pressure and weakened in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of SUNNY MORE after the race did not show any significant findings. SCARLET CAMELLIA and FINEZZA were sent for sampling.