15/01/2012  Shatin  Race 2

AOMEN was slow to begin and shortly after the start was steadied when crowded for room between BUDDY BUDDIES and BLESSING, both of which shifted ground. Approaching the 1300 Metres, LOMBARDI got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of DANZULU. Rounding the Home Turn, BLESSING and BUDDY BUDDIES raced tight as BLESSING attempted to shift to the outside of SUPER BOBO to obtain clear running. After this, BLESSING had difficulty obtaining clear running until approaching the 200 Metres. In the early part of the Straight, AOMEN got its head on the side and lay in. After the 300 Metres, DANZULU got its head up and lay out. For this reason, J Lloyd, its rider, changed the whip into his left hand. Close to the finishing line, DANZULU was awkwardly placed close to the heels of JIMSON THE BEST. When questioned, O Doleuze said that he placed BUDDY BUDDIES under pressure in the early part of the Straight and after using the whip on the horse in the left hand on a number of occasions, he dropped his whip as he was adjusting his hold on the whip near the 250 Metres. O Doleuze was advised that the Stewards had cause to speak to him on a number of occasions last season regarding dropping his whip in races and he must make every endeavour to ensure that he retains his whip at all stages during a race. When questioned regarding the improved performance of JIMSON THE BEST, Trainer C H Yip said that the horse had been racing disappointingly of late. He said although JIMSON THE BEST had not raced as well as he would have expected, he did not change the training pattern for the horse as it had continued to work well in its track work. He said that, in his opinion, the principal reasons for the improved performance of JIMSON THE BEST were that there was some give in today’s track and the fact that the horse had been able to control the race in a slow tempo. Mr Yip explained that JIMSON THE BEST had performed well in the past on tracks with some give in them. AOMEN, JIMSON THE BEST and BLESSING were sent for sampling.