16/10/2016  Shatin  Race 8

SUN TOUCH began only fairly. OUR FOLKS shifted out at the start and hampered VICTORY FOLLOW ME. From a wide barrier, DISCIPLES TWELVE was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Passing the 800 Metres, TEAM FORTUNE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SEA RUBY when SEA RUBY was steadied in an attempt to obtain cover. SEA RUBY was however obliged to race wide and without cover throughout the middle stages before being eased out of the race rounding the Home Turn. After the race, B Prebble stated that his mount felt sore and he was reluctant to continue to ride it out in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of SEA RUBY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SEA RUBY was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SEA RUBY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Approaching the 600 Metres, DISCIPLES TWELVE got its head on the side and lay out towards the heels of VICTORY FOLLOW ME. Passing the 150 Metres, DISCIPLES TWELVE was shifted out away from the heels of OUR FOLKS which, after initially being directed out by SUN TOUCH, then shifted out further. When questioned regarding his riding in the Straight, S Clipperton stated that after racing on the rail throughout the early and middle stages, he shifted SUN TOUCH out rounding the Home Turn and then in the early part of the Straight was able to direct SUN TOUCH to the outside of SKY HERO which was racing in advance of SUN TOUCH. He said as soon as he did this, SUN TOUCH got its head on the side and commenced to hang in and was reluctant to remain racing to the outside of SKY HERO. He added he used the whip in the right hand in an endeavour to have SUN TOUCH straighten up, however, when he did this, the horse hung in and shifted back in behind SKY HERO near the 200 Metres. He added he balanced SUN TOUCH up so as to prevent the horse from continuing to hang in and then was able to shift the horse back to the outside of SKY HERO near the 100 Metres. He said as he was concerned that SUN TOUCH would continue to hang in, he again balanced the horse for a number of strides before commencing to ride it out vigorously to the end of the race. S Clipperton was advised that the Stewards accepted that his mount was proving difficult to ride due to its inclination to hang in, however, he must, wherever possible and even in difficult circumstances, ride his mounts out to the best of his ability so as to obtain the best possible placing. SKY HERO, TEAM FORTUNE and HARBOUR ALERT were sent for sampling.