28/09/2015  Shatin  Race 10

SICHUAN DAR began only fairly. WAH MAY FRIEND shifted in on jumping and bumped WINNING LEADER. PIKACHU was crowded for room on jumping between SICHUAN VIGOUR and GIANT TURTLE which began awkwardly and shifted in abruptly. After this, PIKACHU, from a wide barrier, was shifted across behind runners. Shortly after the start, GOLDEN SLEEP became unbalanced when bumped by SICHUAN VIGOUR. GOLDEN SLEEP then shifted in and made contact with UP AND COMING. After this, UP AND COMING was taken across behind runners. Also shortly after the start, UNIVERSAL UNION was steadied away from the heels of FULL TALENT which shifted out. Passing the 1000 Metres, SELKIRK STAR was momentarily crowded for room inside WINNING LEADER which was taken in by WAH MAY FRIEND which shifted in briefly before being shifted out to relieve the tightening. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, SELKIRK STAR was again crowded for room inside WINNING LEADER which was taken in by MARVEL TRIBE which, despite the endeavours of its rider, got its head on the side and shifted in away from the heels of GIANT TURTLE. Also making the turn after the 900 Metres, FULL TALENT was momentarily crowded for room inside GOLDEN SLEEP (K Teetan) which shifted in before shifting back out to relieve the tightening. K Teetan was advised to exercise more care. Passing the 600 Metres, PIKACHU was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MARVEL TRIBE. In the Straight, FULL TALENT (Apprentice K K Chiong) shifted out under pressure. Over the concluding stages, SICHUAN DAR was inconvenienced by FULL TALENT which continued to drift out. Apprentice Chiong was advised that, in similar circumstances, she would be expected to stop riding and straighten her mounts. Throughout the race, GIANT TURTLE and DR GOOD HABIT travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, K Teetan stated that he had been instructed to ride GOLDEN SLEEP wherever it was comfortable. He said in a number of its previous starts in Hong Kong, the horse had proved very difficult to settle when being ridden behind runners. He said in accordance with his instructions, he allowed GOLDEN SLEEP to obtain a forward position and the horse, in his opinion, responded favourably to being ridden in this manner as it performed well. When questioned, G Mosse explained that he had been asked to ride WAH MAY FRIEND more conservatively today as the horse had not finished off its most recent race when ridden in the lead. He said he was asked to have the horse positioned in about midfield and when ridden in this manner, WAH MAY FRIEND finished off the race strongly. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of HIGH AND MIGHTY, B Prebble stated that his mount began awkwardly which is consistent with the manner in which the horse had begun in a number of its recent race starts. He said after this he was able to make up lost ground and obtain a good position behind the leader SICHUAN VIGOUR. He said HIGH AND MIGHTY travelled only fairly and as far out as the 600 Metres he became concerned with the manner in which the horse was reluctant to make up ground behind SICHUAN VIGOUR. He added he placed HIGH AND MIGHTY under pressure rounding the Home Turn and, despite being fully tested, HIGH AND MIGHTY was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of HIGH AND MIGHTY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HIGH AND MIGHTY, WINNING LEADER and WAH MAY FRIEND were sent for sampling.