04/05/2014  Shatin  Race 11

Jockey O Doleuze (ASIA RISING) was fined the sum of $5,000 for presenting to weigh out for this race with an incorrect saddle cloth. PEPPERMINT began awkwardly and shortly after the start raced tight between WHY NOT and LET ME GO, both of which shifted ground. As the start was effected, AMBITIOUS CHAMPION lifted its front feet off the ground and began only fairly and then a short distance later became unbalanced and lost ground when crowded for room between GO GO WIN and CREATIVE WINNER which shifted out abruptly. In this incident, GO GO WIN became unbalanced after bumping with AMBITIOUS CHAMPION. From wide barriers, ONGOING VOLATILITY and ASIA RISING were taken across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1400 Metres, CREATIVE WINNER got its head up when proving difficult to settle and awkwardly placed close to the heels of D'OR WONGCHOY. After this, CREATIVE WINNER continued to prove difficult to settle and when left racing wide was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead. Near the 1100 Metres, KEEN TACTICS, which was proving difficult to settle, was left racing without cover and after the 1000 Metres was allowed to improve its position. After the 700 Metres, ASIA RISING got its head up when being checked away from the heels of PEPPERMINT. ONGOING VOLATILITY was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and near the 300 Metres momentarily raced tight between AMBITIOUS CHAMPION (K Teetan) and GO GO WIN, both of which shifted ground marginally. After this, AMBITIOUS CHAMPION was directed out to relieve the tightening to ONGOING VOLATILITY. When AMBITIOUS CHAMPION shifted out to be racing tight inside REDWOOD BABY approaching the 200 Metres, AMBITIOUS CHAMPION then shifted in abruptly, resulting in ONGOING VOLATILITY having to be checked. K Teetan was advised that whilst the racing manners of AMBITIOUS CHAMPION had played a significant part in this incident, he would be expected in similar circumstances to put the whip away and make every endeavour to keep his mount on a straight course. For the majority of the race, CLUB LIFE raced with its head on the side. A veterinary inspection of AMBITIOUS CHAMPION, KEEN TACTICS and ONGOING VOLATILITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LET ME GO, CLUB LIFE and BOY OH BOY were sent for sampling.