08/10/2017  Shatin  Race 5

Whilst in the saddling stalls, LIGHTNING MISSILE had its left front plate refitted. LIGHTNING MISSILE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. CELESTIAL ARROW began only fairly. JIMSON THE FAMOUS was bumped on jumping by PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT which shifted out after beginning awkwardly. Shortly after the start, CELEBRATION got its head up when being steadied to obtain cover. Also shortly after the start, RED HORSE shifted out and bumped LIGHTNING MISSILE. From wide barriers, GOLDIE FLANKER and AMBITIOUS PINS were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. For some distance after the 1100 Metres, PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT got its head up when travelling keenly and proving difficult to settle. Passing the 900 Metres, RED HORSE got its head up when being checked away from the heels of ENDEARING. Approaching and passing the 800 Metres, ROYALE ELEGANCE raced keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of AUDACITY. Approaching the 600 Metres, RED HORSE shifted out and bumped GREAT TREASURE, resulting in that horse being taken wider. Passing the 500 Metres, ENDEARING raced tight outside PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT which shifted to the outside of JIMSON THE FAMOUS. Passing the 400 Metres, ROYALE ELEGANCE was shifted to the outside of the heels of GREAT TREASURE to obtain clear running. Also passing the 400 Metres, PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT was awkwardly placed inside the heels of ENDEARING which shifted in. When questioned, Apprentice M F Poon (JIMSON THE FAMOUS) stated that from the outside barrier he had been asked to attempt to lead the race, however, if the rider of another runner was intent on obtaining the lead, then it would be acceptable for him to obtain cover. He said after being hampered by PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT at the start, he rode his mount along to clear that horse which was also being ridden into a forward position. He said despite slapping the horse down the shoulder with the whip on a number of occasions, PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT showed more early speed than JIMSON THE FAMOUS, nonetheless he continued to press on in search of the lead. He said he felt that the tempo of the race was good and given that PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT was being ridden positively, he believed that that horse would then race outside the leader LIGHTNING MISSILE which would make it difficult for him to obtain the lead as instructed. He said for this reason, after the 1100 Metres, he steadied JIMSON THE FAMOUS in order to obtain a trailing position behind PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT. He said because he was looking for this trailing position, he was unaware at this time that PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT was also being steadied by its rider which left JIMSON THE FAMOUS racing in a three wide position without cover and him being no longer able to shift in to race behind that horse. He said as he believed that it was better to once again attempt to lead the race rather than sitting three wide, he rode JIMSON THE FAMOUS along to improve around PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT, however, it took some time for JIMSON THE FAMOUS to clear that horse and it was not until approaching the 500 Metres that he was able to shift in to race outside LIGHTNING MISSILE. Apprentice Poon was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have been more assertive after the 1200 Metres to clear PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT, particularly as it was apparent that that horse was being steadied by its rider. He was further advised to ensure that he rides his mount in such a manner so as to comply with his instructions wherever possible and to avoid covering unnecessary ground. After the race, W M Lai (GOLDIE FLANKER) stated that his mount did not feel comfortable in its action at any stage of the race and became particularly unbalanced passing the 400 Metres which led him to believe that the horse may have gone amiss. He said as GOLDIE FLANKER was already detached from the field, he eased it down in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of GOLDIE FLANKER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. Before being allowed to race again, GOLDIE FLANKER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of JIMSON THE FAMOUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RED HORSE and ENDEARING were sent for sampling.