01/07/2015  Shatin  Race 11

DANEWIN EXPRESS began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, HIT A HOME RUN got its head up when being steadied to obtain cover. After racing with cover in the early part of the race, HIT A HOME RUN was taken wider into a position without cover when TOO FAST shifted out away from the heels of TOP ACE. HIT A HOME RUN was then able to regain cover behind SUPEROI after the 800 Metres. From the outside barrier, ROCKET FLY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1200 Metres, ENORMOUS HONOUR proved very difficult to settle and became badly unbalanced when being checked away from the heels of OSCAR MIRACLE. In this incident, ENORMOUS HONOUR shifted in, resulting in DANEWIN EXPRESS being crowded for room. After the 1100 Metres, SUPEROI was left racing wide and without cover. OSCAR MIRACLE got its head on the side and lay out rounding the Home Turn. At the 300 Metres, DANEWIN EXPRESS was checked away from the heels of GRAND HARBOUR. CITRON SPIRIT was badly held up when unable to obtain clear running until approaching the 100 Metres. Passing the 100 Metres, HIT A HOME RUN became unbalanced when bumped by TOO FAST (G Mosse) which shifted in under pressure. G Mosse was reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mount. When questioned, N Rawiller stated that, from barrier 12, it was felt that BEST TANGO would get too far out of its ground were the horse to be restrained in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. He said it was felt that the race would not be run at a fast tempo and therefore he was asked to obtain a position in about 5th or 6th with cover if possible. He said in the early stages it appeared as though he would be able to obtain this position, however, ENORMOUS HONOUR, which was racing to his inside, maintained its position one horse off the rail rather than shifting over towards the rail and this resulted in BEST TANGO being left in a position three wide and without cover after the 1300 Metres. He added after this the pace of the race steadied and rather than continue to race unnecessarily wide, he allowed the horse to improve its position into the lead. He said he was able to steady the tempo on BEST TANGO in the middle stages, however, the horse came under pressure in the Straight and then did not finish off the race. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GRAND HARBOUR, N Callan stated that his mount became worked up behind the barriers and then began only fairly. He said he had to ride GRAND HARBOUR along in the early stages to cross DANEWIN EXPRESS to his inside and after obtaining the lead after the 1400 Metres he commenced to steady the tempo of the race. He said when BEST TANGO improved around GRAND HARBOUR at the 1100 Metres, he allowed that horse to continue into the lead and immediately switched GRAND HARBOUR to its outside. He said GRAND HARBOUR then travelled well until entering the Home Straight at which time the horse came under pressure. He added despite being ridden out GRAND HARBOUR did not finish off the race and was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of GRAND HARBOUR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WINNAM and TOO FAST were sent for sampling.