10/03/2012  Shatin  Race 9

ELEGANCE DESIRE was withdrawn on 8.3.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter AMIGO. Before being allowed to race again, ELEGANCE DESIRE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Shortly after the start, DYNAMIC BLITZ was crowded for room between GOOD WORDS and CITY POWER which shifted out. From the outside barrier, AMIGO was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. At the entrance to the Straight, PAGANINI’S SOUL was checked away from the heels of GROOVY which shifted in slightly when awkwardly placed behind FINAL ANSWER. Shortly after entering the Straight, CITY POWER was steadied and shifted out when disappointed for running between BLAZE KING and GROOVY which shifted in. PAGANINI’S SOUL had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and near the 150 Metres was shifted to the inside of FINAL ANSWER. When PAGANINI’S SOUL was shifted in, CITY POWER, which was racing to that horse’s inside, was steadied when disappointed for running between that horse and GROOVY which shifted out. After this, CITY POWER then was held up for clear running for a short distance. Approaching the 100 Metres, PAGANINI’S SOUL was checked away from the heels of FINAL ANSWER which was giving ground. Throughout the race, GOOD WORDS and FINAL ANSWER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, J Lloyd stated that he had been instructed to obtain the “box seat position” with TIME AFTER TIME as the horse had been successful at its most recent start when ridden in this manner. He said in the early stages he expected BLAZE KING, which had drawn inside TIME AFTER TIME, to lead the race with HORSE GALORE to that horse’s outside which would allow TIME AFTER TIME the opportunity to obtain cover. He said however that BLAZE KING did not show its anticipated speed in the early stages whilst HORSE GALORE took some time to cross runners from its outside. He said after being crossed by HORSE GALORE at the 800 Metres, he then elected to maintain his position rather than restraining TIME AFTER TIME to allow GOOD WORDS or FINAL ANSWER which were racing to his outside to cross TIME AFTER TIME. He added he elected to maintain his position at this time as TIME AFTER TIME had previously shown a tendency to be difficult to manage when being steadied. He said because of the circumstances of the race in the early and middle stages, TIME AFTER TIME raced more forward than had been intended. When questioned, B Prebble stated that he had been asked to ride CERISE CHERRY in a forward position if possible from barrier 11. He said he rode CERISE CHERRY along in the early stages including using the whip on the horse, however, CERISE CHERRY did not show sufficient speed to obtain a forward position as instructed. He said therefore he elected shortly after the start to shift CERISE CHERRY across behind runners. He said he deliberately kept CERISE CHERRY wide to avoid the kickback in the early stages and making the turn near the 700 Metres got its head on the side and hung out. He said CERISE CHERRY continued to hang out making the circle and rounding the Home Turn. He added in the early part of the Straight CERISE CHERRY shifted in behind DYNAMIC BLITZ and for this reason he changed his whip over into his right hand. He said he then shifted CERISE CHERRY to the outside of runners and the horse then closed off the race well. After the race, D Whyte (PAGANINI’S SOUL) reported that making the first turn he elected not to continue to attempt to maintain its position inside GROOVY as that horse was shifting ground. He said in the Straight PAGANINI’S SOUL encountered a number of difficulties when attempting to obtain clear running and because of this the horse’s performance was better than it appeared. A veterinary inspection of PAGANINI’S SOUL after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FINAL ANSWER after the race revealed that the horse had sustained superficial abrasions above the right hock. DYNAMIC BLITZ and AMIGO were sent for sampling.