21/04/2014  Shatin  Race 10

BIG FOUR began awkwardly, got its head up and lost ground and then shortly after the start was further hampered when GLORY OF LONGWAH shifted out after being bumped by HOLYANGELHOLY. INTELLECTUAL GLIDE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 800 Metres, BEAUTY JOURNEY lost ground when reluctant to maintain its position when racing tight inside BESPOKE COLLARS. GLORY OF LONGWAH and BIG FOUR, which were following, were hampered in consequence. Approaching the 600 Metres, BEAUTY JOURNEY momentarily raced tight inside HOLYANGELHOLY. Rounding the Home Turn, STAY AHEAD was awkwardly placed close to the heels of TARZAN I AM when attempting to improve into tight running to the inside of that horse. SUPREME FALCON, which was racing inside STAY AHEAD, was momentarily tightened for room in consequence. Near the 350 Metres, FUN TAPESTRY (B Prebble), which was commencing to give ground abruptly, was momentarily steadied away from the heels of TARZAN I AM which shifted in marginally. After the race, B Prebble stated that the FUN TAPESTRY did not feel comfortable in its action in the Straight and because of this he eased the horse down over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of FUN TAPESTRY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Approaching the 200 Metres, the whip of N Callan (TARZAN I AM) was knocked from his grasp by the whip of C Y Ho (SMILING WATCH). Close to the finishing line, HOLYANGELHOLY was steadied away from the heels of BIG FOUR (D Whyte) which shifted in under pressure. D Whyte was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he straightens his mounts when they shift ground. When questioned, D Whyte stated that after being obliged to race further back in the field due to the manner in which the horse began, he shifted BIG FOUR to the outside of runners in the early part of the Straight and the horse commenced to close off the race strongly. He said he did not use the whip on BIG FOUR as it was giving its best. He said he wanted to save the horse up as much as possible in that it had a lot of ground to make up in the Straight. He added at about the 100 Metres BIG FOUR’s run had peaked and for this reason he changed whip into his right hand and commenced to ride it with the whip in the run to the finishing line. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY JOURNEY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BIG FOUR, SMILING WATCH and TARZAN I AM were sent for sampling. <22/4/2014 Additional Veterinary Report>FUN TAPESTRY, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. FUN TAPESTRY was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer C W Chang this morning. He said at this time he found the horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, FUN TAPESTRY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.