24/02/2013  Shatin  Race 3

OCEAN ROAR shifted out abruptly at the start, hampering NAUGHTY BABY. MAROON PRINCE, MAN AND MING and RAY OF GOLD were all severely checked when crowded for room at the start between GOLDEN LEGEND which shifted out abruptly despite the efforts of its rider and BERNARD’S CHOICE which also shifted ground inwards abruptly despite the attempts from its rider to shift that horse out. As this incident was one of some significance, the Stewards ruled that GOLDEN LEGEND and BERNARD’S CHOICE must barrier trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards before being permitted to race again. When being restrained to shift in across behind runners, BERNARD’S CHOICE was steadied away from the heels of GOLDEN LEGEND near the 1100 Metres. FIERY RAIDER, which was following BERNARD’S CHOICE, was hampered in consequence. Passing the 1000 Metres, GOLDEN LEGEND proved difficult to settle and then got its head on the side when awkwardly placed close to the heels of JUST FOLLOW ME after the 900 Metres. For some distance after this, GOLDEN LEGEND continued to be awkwardly placed close to the heels of JUST FOLLOW ME and continued to lay out. Passing the 900 Metres, BERNARD’S CHOICE struck the heels of KEEP RUNNING and blundered badly, resulting in its rider, M L Yeung, becoming badly unbalanced in the saddle. At the entrance to the Straight, MAROON PRINCE was steadied and shifted to the inside of SMART TOUCH to obtain clear running. SMART TOUCH was awkwardly placed behind LUCKY SCEPTER in the early part of the Straight. Over the final 200 Metres, NAUGHTY BABY got its head on the side and hung in under pressure. Near the 150 Metres, BERNARD’S CHOICE and KEEP RUNNING were hampered when taken wider by MAN AND MING which got its head on the side and shifted out. OCEAN ROAR travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. A veterinary inspection of MAN AND MING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SMART VOLATILITY and LUCKY SCEPTER were sent for sampling.