18/09/2016  Shatin  Race 8

On jumping, JOYFUL PARK was crowded for room between VERBINSKY and BEAUTY PRINCE which, after beginning awkwardly, shifted in. A short distance after the start, JOYFUL PARK was steadied when further crowded for room between VERBINSKY and BEAUTY PRINCE which was taken in by NITRO EXPRESS. Shortly after the start, VERBINSKY and RUBY COAST bumped. From a wide barrier, SKY KING was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages, ENORMOUS HONOUR failed to muster speed. Near the 1250 Metres, VERBINSKY was awkwardly placed behind HEALTHY JOYFUL which, after crossing VERBINSKY, was then steadied. In the early part of the Straight, BEAUTY PRINCE and NITRO EXPRESS raced tight as BEAUTY PRINCE shifted out into clear running. Throughout the race, SILVERFIELD travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, D Whyte stated that it had been explained to him that in its two races last season AMBITIOUS PINS had lay in and for this reason he was asked to ride the horse where it was comfortable but to obtain cover if possible. He said after beginning well he steadied AMBITIOUS PINS to obtain cover and shortly after the start the horse commenced to lay in. He said for this reason after the 1000 Metres he again steadied AMBITIOUS PINS and shifted the horse behind runners to obtain a position on the rail as he felt that this would assist it in racing more tractably. He added in the middle stages he had to niggle at AMBITIOUS PINS to maintain its position and rounding the Home Turn he was able to improve inside RUBY COAST when that horse shifted out. He said he immediately placed AMBITIOUS PINS under pressure and the horse commenced to finish off the race. He added approaching the 200 Metres, despite being ridden along, AMBITIOUS PINS was reluctant to improve its position inside CHEERFUL BOY which lay in when commencing to give ground. He said after improving inside that horse, he had to stop riding AMBITIOUS PINS approaching the 100 Metres to shift the horse to the outside of METALLIC STAR as AMBITIOUS PINS lay in and was reluctant to shift out. He said after obtaining clear running to the outside of METALLIC STAR near the 100 Metres, AMBITIOUS PINS then closed off the race strongly. Trainer R Gibson stated that as AMBITIOUS PINS' best run overseas prior to coming to Hong Kong had been over 1600 Metres, it was felt that even with the blinkers applied today, the horse would not have sufficient early speed to take up a forward position and for this reason he asked Jockey Whyte to ride it where it was comfortable. He said he was also mindful that AMBITIOUS PINS had lay in in its previous races in Hong Kong. He added that he would now consider stepping AMBITIOUS PINS up in distance and following the addition of blinkers, consideration would also be given to riding the horse in a prominent position if circumstances permitted. A veterinary inspection of SKY KING and CHEERFUL BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VERBINSKY, BEAUTY PRINCE and MOLLY'S JADE STAR were sent for sampling.