09/11/2013  Shatin  Race 3

After being difficult to load, KNIGHT HERO became fractious in the barriers. KNIGHT HERO was slow to begin and then finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of KNIGHT HERO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of KNIGHT HERO was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, KNIGHT HERO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TRANSFORMER was crowded for room at the start between SEASONS STAR and FANTASTICO, both of which shifted ground. YOU AND M shifted out abruptly at the start despite the efforts of its rider, resulting in JOLLY POSH being taken out onto PENNY LANE which was in turn taken across the running of ROBUST MOMENTUM which was crowded for room inside DOUBLE MASTER which became unbalanced due to contact on its hindquarters. After this, ROBUST MOMENTUM was taken across behind runners. After being ridden along in the early stages, K-MOOCHI was crowded for room passing the 1150 Metres between FANTASTICO and MERIDIAN TREASURE which, after initially getting its head on the side and shifting in, then raced in restricted room inside SILLY BUDDIES which got its head on the side and shifted in. Both SILLY BUDDIES and MERIDIAN TREASURE were then shifted out to relieve the tightening to K-MOOCHI. In the early stages, DOUBLE MASTER proved difficult to settle and shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SILLY BUDDIES. After this, DOUBLE MASTER continued to over-race and prove difficult to settle. For some distance after the 900 Metres, JOLLY POSH had to be checked away from the heels of YOU AND M when travelling keenly. K-MOOCHI was steadied when disappointed for running at the entrance to the Straight between TRANSFORMER and FANTASTICO. K-MOOCHI was then shifted to the outside of FANTASTICO passing the 400 Metres to obtain clear running. Passing the 100 Metres, ROBUST MOMENTUM, which was closing off the race well, was steadied and shifted to the outside of K-MOOCHI which shifted in marginally under pressure. In the Straight, SILLY BUDDIES got its head on the side and shifted ground on a number of occasions under pressure. When questioned, Z Purton stated that he had been instructed to ride MERIDIAN TREASURE behind the speed with cover if possible. He said it was anticipated that horses such as WHAT A HEART, FANTASTICO and K-MOOCHI, which were all drawn inside MERIDIAN TREASURE, would show speed which may allow MERIDIAN TREASURE the opportunity to obtain a position behind those horses. He said MERIDIAN TREASURE jumped very well and horses which were expected to go forward took some time to muster speed. He said he had to shift MERIDIAN TREASURE out shortly after the start to prevent causing crowding to another runner and this allowed a number of runners drawn inside MERIDIAN TREASURE to improve their positions to the inside of his mount. He added he then attempted to obtain cover behind SEASONS STAR, however, FANTASTICO had established its position behind that horse and for this reason he was left racing three wide and without cover throughout the race. He said whilst it was available to him to ride MERIDIAN TREASURE along in the early stages to lead, having in mind the manner in which it began, he felt that to do this would have been contrary to his instructions. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of TRANSFORMER, which was having its first race start today, J Moreira stated that he had barrier trialed the horse in the lead up to the race and, in his opinion, that barrier trial was very good. He said based on the strength of this barrier trial and the horse’s work, he expected TRANSFORMER to race well today. He said after TRANSFORMER began well, he was able to take up a forward position behind the leaders. He said however that TRANSFORMER came under pressure as far out as the 600 Metres and did not show any turn of foot. He said whilst he was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WHAT A HEART rounding the Home Turn, TRANSFORMER was under heavy pressure to maintain its position and despite being ridden out in the Straight was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to respond to his riding and weakened out of the race. He added after the winning post TRANSFORMER pulled up very quickly, however, he did not detect any noticeable abnormalities in the horse’s action. A veterinary inspection of TRANSFORMER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of TRANSFORMER, a favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TRANSFORMER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TRANSFORMER, SILLY BUDDIES and SEASONS STAR were sent for sampling.