08/10/2016  Shatin  Race 7

RAICHU was slow to begin. GALLANT ROCK began awkwardly. GRACE HEART and GO BABY GO bumped at the start. A short distance later, GRACE HEART was checked when crowded for room between GO BABY GO which shifted in and GALLANT ROCK which shifted out after being bumped by BEAUTY MASTER. OCEAN ROAR lost its left front plate at the start. Over the final 600 Metres, DRAGON MASTER raced with its head on the side, lay out and consequently proved difficult to ride. In particular over about the final 200 Metres, DRAGON MASTER was reluctant to shift to the inside of BEAUTY MASTER when racing tight outside RED KYLIN. Over the final 200 Metres, TIMELY ARRIVED lay out under pressure. When questioned, N Rawiller stated that, as usual, he was instructed to lead on GO BABY GO and to find the outside rail if possible. He said after being placed in the barriers, GO BABY GO became very fractious and threw its head around on a number of occasions. He said this resulted in GO BABY GO being slow to begin as the start was effected and shifting in abruptly, causing crowding to GRACE HEART. He said he was then obliged to correct GO BABY GO in an endeavour to alleviate the tightening to GRACE HEART. He said because of this GO BABY GO settled well back in the field and horses which are noted to go forward in their races around GO BABY GO, namely DRAGON MASTER, GALLANT ROCK and BEAUTY MASTER were all able to quickly assume leading positions. He said having in mind that he had been asked to find the outside rail, albeit in the lead, after GO BABY GO was slow to begin, he elected to shift it out to race near the outside rail and to follow DRAGON MASTER during the race as he anticipated that this horse would be a strong chance. He said although there was an opportunity after the 800 Metres to shift GO BABY GO away from the outside rail and improve to the inside of DRAGON MASTER and possibly follow BEAUTY MASTER, he believed he would have had to ride GO BABY GO along to do this and having in mind how far from the finish this opportunity was available, he did not believe it was in the best interests of GO BABY GO to come off the bridle so far from the end of the race. He added therefore he elected to follow DRAGON MASTER as the race was being run at a very good tempo and GO BABY GO was travelling comfortably. He said he improved to the outside of DRAGON MASTER when that horse shifted in to improve around GALLANT ROCK, however, GALLANT ROCK gave ground abruptly and for this reason he had to switch out away from that horse’s heels at the 200 Metres and continued to follow DRAGON MASTER through. N Rawiller was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that the pre-race instructions had been made redundant by the manner in which the horse began, causing it to race well back in the field, nonetheless in their opinion, there was an opportunity for GO BABY GO to improve its position without having to be unduly pressured to race behind the eventual winner BEAUTY MASTER. He was further advised to ensure that he remains alert to opportunities to obtain more advantageous positions wherever those circumstances permit. A veterinary inspection of GO BABY GO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GALLANT ROCK, Apprentice K K Chiong stated that the horse travelled strongly in the early and middle stages, similarly to when she had ridden the horse to success in the past. She said however that at the 300 Metres GALLANT ROCK came under significant pressure and then gave ground abruptly from this point to finish at the rear of the field. She said whilst GALLANT ROCK’s run ended at the 300 Metres, it was somewhat concerning that the horse gave ground so abruptly. Mr A T Millard, trainer of GALLANT ROCK, stated that as the horse had raced on a number of occasions towards the back end of last season, he believed it was not necessary to trial the horse in the lead up to today’s race. He said the manner in which GALLANT ROCK weakened could be attributed to the horse’s run ending when placed under pressure. A veterinary inspection of GALLANT ROCK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of GALLANT ROCK was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GALLANT ROCK will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BEAUTY MASTER and THOR THE GREATEST were sent for sampling.