15/11/2014  Shatin  Race 8

LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT began awkwardly, shifted out at the start and bumped BEAUTY FLAME. From wide barriers, DUNDONNELL and BERLINSKI were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 300 Metres, SMART MAN was checked when disappointed for running between DUNDONNELL which shifted out and PENGLAI XIANZI which shifted in when giving ground. No further action was taken. Passing the 300 Metres, GURUS DREAM was awkwardly placed inside the heels of BERLINSKI which shifted in. In the Straight, MY NAME IS BOND hung in and at times proved difficult to ride. Throughout the race, BULLISH BOY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of BERLINSKI in the early part of the Straight, U Rispoli stated that he had been instructed if possible to follow LUGER in the race until about the 250 Metres at which time the horse should be produced to make its finishing run. He said it was explained to him that BERLINSKI has a relatively short sprint and it was felt that holding up BERLINSKI for a final run would give the horse the best opportunity to win the race. He said after racing inside LUGER after the 600 Metres, he allowed his mount to improve its position in the early part of the Straight as LUGER was clearly not travelling well enough to take him into the race. He said therefore he improved his position to be racing behind SECRET SHAM, a horse he considered would finish off strongly. He added although a run to the outside of SECRET SHAM and inside BULLISH BOY, which was giving ground, became available approaching the 300 Metres, he directed BERLINSKI back in behind SECRET SHAM as his instructions were to wait until about the 250 Metres. He said when he reached the 250 Metres, he immediately shifted BERLINSKI to the outside of SECRET SHAM and rode the horse vigorously to the end of the race. He said when ridden in this manner, BERLINSKI finished off the race strongly. Trainer D J Hall advised the Stewards that he had made specific mention of the fact that BERLINSKI has a relatively limited sprint and he asked Jockey Rispoli to follow LUGER for as long as possible in the race as he considered it to be the best horse to follow. He said at its first run this season, Z Purton had advised him that BERLINSKI was going to finish off the race strongly, however, the horse did not sustain its run like he thought it would and because of this it had confirmed his previous opinion that BERLINSKI needs to be held up in races for as long as possible so that its finishing run can be effective. U Rispoli was advised that the Stewards did not have any concern regarding his riding of BERLINSKI at any other stage of the race and that whilst he had shifted BERLINSKI back in behind SECRET SHAM for a short distance, he had been riding the horse along throughout, nonetheless his riding at this time of the race had the potential to draw attention upon himself and he must ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner so as to leave no room for query. A veterinary inspection of LUGER immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, LUGER will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. LUGER, BEAUTY FLAME and DUNDONNELL were sent for sampling.