08/12/2013  Shatin  Race 5

As the start was effected, LUCKY NINE bounded in the air and consequently lost ground. SOLE POWER began awkwardly. TIME AFTER TIME was slow to begin. Near the 1000 Metres, SOLE POWER, which was proving very difficult to settle and was being steadied to obtain cover, got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of LORD KANALOA (Y Iwata) which shifted in when only just clear. Y Iwata was advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground. After this, SOLE POWER continued to prove difficult to settle and again got its head up on a number of occasions. For some distance after the 1000 Metres, CHARLES THE GREAT proved very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when being checked away from the heels of GO BABY GO. Near the 900 Metres, EAGLE REGIMENT got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of LORD KANALOA and then rounding the first turn near the 850 Metres got its head on the side and hung out after being brushed by FREDERICK ENGELS which, when proving difficult to settle and awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHARLES THE GREAT, shifted out. EAGLE REGIMENT continued to hang out and passing the 700 Metres was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SLADE POWER. TIME AFTER TIME was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Near the 350 Metres, EAGLE REGIMENT raced in restricted room between SOLE POWER and FREDERICK ENGELS which shifted out slightly when held up for clear running and awkwardly placed behind LORD KANALOA. LUCKY NINE was badly held up for clear running until near the 200 Metres. The Stewards opened an inquiry into the reason for JWALA (S Drowne) falling near the 50 Metres. After taking evidence from B Prebble (LUCKY NINE), W Lordan (SLADE POWER), J Murtagh (SOLE POWER), D Whyte (CHARLES THE GREAT), R Moore (RICH TAPESTRY) and T Angland (GO BABY GO, the inquiry was adjourned until a date to be fixed as evidence was not able to be taken from S Drowne who was transported to hospital. When JWALA fell, JOY AND FUN, which was following, was badly hampered and blundered, resulting in its rider, B Doyle, almost being dislodged. Over the concluding stages, STERLING CITY, which had been having difficulty obtaining clear running, raced in restricted room between CERISE CHERRY and RICH TAPESTRY. Close to the finishing line, RICH TAPESTRY was shifted out to relieve the tightening to STERLING CITY and CERISE CHERRY and because of this was not able to be ridden out to the end of the race. Also close to the finishing line, CERISE CHERRY became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by STERLING CITY. CHARLES THE GREAT was unable to obtain clear running at any stage in the Straight and consequently was not able to be tested. Throughout the race, SLADE POWER and JWALA travelled wide and without cover. LORD KANALOA and SOLE POWER were sent for sampling.