17/05/2014  Shatin  Race 8

M Chadwick (PENGLAI XIANZI) was fined a sum of $2,000 for initially weighing out with two girths. PENGLAI XIANZI reared in the air as the start was effected, resulting in M Chadwick, its rider, becoming unbalanced and PENGLAI XIANZI losing ground. Then a short distance after the start, PENGLAI XIANZI was steadied away from the heels of REAL SPECIALIST which shifted in after being bumped by FLASH KNIGHT. From wide barriers, PACKING WHIZ and REWARDING HERO were taken across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1400 Metres, PENGLAI XIANZI was steadied away from the heels of REAL SPECIALIST which got its head on the side and shifted in. Near the 1100 Metres, DESTINED FOR GLORY commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPER LIFELINE. For some distance after the 850 Metres, PENGLAI XIANZI got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of REAL SPECIALIST. Passing the 600 Metres, PACKING WHIZ was steadied away from the heels of PENGLAI XIANZI which shifted out slightly when continuing to race close to the heels of REAL SPECIALIST. Passing the 200 Metres, DESTINED FOR GLORY was awkwardly placed inside the heels of REAL SPECIALIST which got its head on the side and shifted in away from FLASH KNIGHT which was giving ground. Near the 100 Metres, SUPER LIFELINE was awkwardly placed inside the heels of PLEASURE GAINS which was racing tight inside SECRET SHAM. Over the final 100 Metres, SUPER LIFELINE raced in restricted room between PLEASURE GAINS and PACKING WHIZ which shifted out marginally. When questioned, Z Purton stated that he had been asked not to ride HELENE SPIRIT along in the early stages to obtain a forward position, however, it was anticipated that the horse would have enough natural speed to be able to take up a position in the first four. He said he was asked not to be aggressive on HELENE SPIRIT in the early stages as the horse had not finished off a number of races recently when ridden in this manner. He said after being loaded into the barriers, HELENE SPIRIT was inclined to lean on the inside of its gate and as the start was effected lifted its front feet off the ground, resulting in the horse not beginning well. He said as he was asked not to ride the horse along in the early stages, he elected to shift across behind runners and obtain a position with cover which resulted in HELENE SPIRIT racing further back in the field than had been intended. He added as HELENE SPIRIT is one-paced, he shifted it out prior to the 500 Metres and commenced to improve his position, however, HELENE SPIRIT finished off the race only fairly. A veterinary inspection of FLAGSHIP SHINE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FLASH KNIGHT immediately following the race revealed the horse had bled from both nostrils and was lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, FLASH KNIGHT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. REWARDING HERO and SECRET SHAM were sent for sampling.