10/01/2015  Shatin  Race 4

APACHE SPIRIT began awkwardly and lost ground. LITTLE MEN began only fairly and then despite being ridden along failed to muster speed. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that LITTLE MEN was lame in its left hind leg. Before being allowed to race again, LITTLE MEN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Approaching the 1000 Metres, SKYROCKETS was awkwardly placed outside the heels of YOU READ MY MIND. Approaching the 900 Metres, YOU READ MY MIND and KEY WITNESS bumped. After this, YOU READ MY MIND was left racing wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of YOU READ MY MIND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Approaching the 700 Metres, SKYROCKETS proved difficult to settle and raced close to the heels of YOU READ MY MIND. For some distance passing the 700 Metres, VICTORIUS commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed behind KEY WITNESS. CHOICE TREASURE was unable to obtain clear running until near the 300 Metres. In the Straight, and particularly when giving ground after the 300 Metres, SKYROCKETS got its head on the side and hung in. When questioned, C Y Ho (I’M IN CHARGE) stated that he had been advised by Mr C Fownes, the horse’s trainer, that it was anticipated that the race would be run at a good tempo and as the horse had drawn wide in barrier 12, he had been asked to ride I’M IN CHARGE quietly and to shift the horse across behind runners in the early stages. He said it was felt that were I’M IN CHARGE to be ridden for speed as is usual, the horse, due to the make-up of the field, may be left racing wide and without cover and therefore would not be able to finish off the race. He said after initially proving somewhat difficult to steady in the early stages, I’M IN CHARGE commenced to travel more kindly until approaching the 900 Metres at which time the horse travelled keenly and got its head up on a number of occasions when being checked away from the heels of LET ME GO. He said after making the turn near the 850 Metres, I’M IN CHARGE then commenced to travel more generously and rounding the Home Turn he endeavoured to shift I’M IN CHARGE to the outside of runners to obtain clear running. He said however that at this time DYNAMISM was positioned to the outside of I’M IN CHARGE and was still travelling well enough to prevent him from shifting his mount out. He said therefore he was obliged to take inside runs and was able to improve his position until near the 250 Metres at which stage I’M IN CHARGE, when attempting tight running between YOU READ MY MIND and VICTORIUS, had to be steadied due to VICTORIUS shifting out. He added he then directed I’M IN CHARGE to the inside of VICTORIUS to improve into tight running between that horse and JAZZY FEELING. He said this resulted in I’M IN CHARGE being hampered and bumping JAZZY FEELING, causing both horses to become unbalanced. He said he was then able to obtain clear running between VICTORIUS and JAZZY FEELING approaching the 100 Metres and was able to ride his mount out to the end of the race. A veterinary inspection of SKYROCKETS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KEY WITNESS and PRECISION KING were sent for sampling.