24/02/2013  Shatin  Race 10

VICTORY MASTER began only fairly and then in the early stages failed to muster speed. From a wide barrier, MAC ROW was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. SEA DIAMOND was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. MAC ROW had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and again approaching the 200 Metres. Approaching the 200 Metres, FIONN’S TREASURE was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of TOUR DE FORCE which shifted in. Throughout the race, ST YAZIN travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding out of SEA DIAMOND, 4th placegetter, over the concluding stages, T Clark stated that he had placed his mount under pressure in the Straight and the horse was finishing off the race only fairly. He said when contesting 3rd placing with KA YING KID over about the final 100 Metres, he continued to ride SEA DIAMOND out with the whip in the left hand, however, the horse was only holding its position outside KA YING KID. He said close to the line, rather than continue to use the whip behind the saddle, he waved the whip at the horse in the left hand and continued to push strongly with his right hand right to the end of the race. He said he did this in order to extract a final effort from SEA DIAMOND over the concluding stages. After considering Jockey Clark’s explanation and after viewing all the available videos, the Stewards were satisfied that he had continued to ride SEA DIAMOND out to the end of the race in accordance with the Rules of Racing and accepted his explanation. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GREEN EAGLE, W M Lai stated that he had to make some use of the horse in the early stages to take up a forward position behind the speed as instructed. He said although GREEN EAGLE travelled three wide, it had cover and travelled well until rounding the Home Turn. He said at this time he shifted his mount to the outside of ST YAZIN into clear running and immediately placed it under pressure. He said however that GREEN EAGLE, after initially responding to his riding in the early part of the Straight, came under pressure near the 350 Metres and then was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to close off the race. A veterinary inspection of GREEN EAGLE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FIONN’S TREASURE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SEA DIAMOND, GURUS DREAM and TOUR DE FORCE were sent for sampling.