16/05/2015  Shatin  Race 6

CIRCUIT STAR, which was leaning on the outside of its stall, began very awkwardly and lost ground. FIGHTING BOY was slow to begin. WINNAM was crowded for room on jumping between DRAGON GLORY and GLORIOUS RYDER which shifted out. Shortly after the start, PENNY LANE was steadied away from the heels of HEALTH WISE which became unbalanced and shifted out after being bumped by JUMBO SPIRIT. From the outside barrier, MALAYAN PEARL was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. CIRCUIT STAR lost its left front plate in the early stages. Approaching the 300 Metres, WINNAM was momentarily held up for clear running behind DRAGON GLORY. Approaching the 200 Metres, JUN JU was shifted out away from the heels of DRAGON GLORY to obtain clear running. At the 200 Metres, ATHENA BABY shifted in abruptly under pressure. Near the 100 Metres, JUN JU was steadied when crowded for room between DRAGON GLORY and FIGHTING BOY which was taken in by FAST AND FURIOUS which was in turn taken in by JUMBO SPIRIT (B Prebble) which got its head on the side and lay in. B Prebble was severely reprimanded and advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have done more to prevent JUMBO SPIRIT from shifting in. For the majority of the race, HEALTH WISE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, N Rawiller (PENNY LANE) stated that in discussions with Mr A T Millard the trainer of PENNY LANE this morning, it had been initially felt that it would be best for the horse to be ridden quietly today due to its wide barrier. He said Mr Millard expressed disappointment that PENNY LANE was left racing wide and without cover at its most recent start and due to the wide barrier today, it was initially thought that the horse may be left in a similar position. He said however after further discussing the manner in which the race would likely be run, it had been decided that PENNY LANE may overcome the wide barrier and therefore prior to today’s race it was decided for PENNY LANE to be ridden in a forward position. He said however that as the start was effected PENNY LANE did not begin well and as he had to make a prompt decision as to whether to ride the horse forward, he felt that given the manner in which it began, he would have to make too much use of PENNY LANE which was racing over 1600 Metres today and were the horse to be ridden forward, it may be left racing wide or may have to do too much work to lead and therefore would not be able to finish off the race. After viewing the video of the start, it was established that just prior to the start being effected PENNY LANE lifted its left front leg off the ground and it was for this reason that the horse did not begin well. After considering this matter, no further action was taken. A veterinary inspection of PENNY LANE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ATHENA BABY and WINNAM were sent for sampling.