17/12/2017  Shatin  Race 8

After being loaded into the barriers, DUKEDOM became very fractious and lunged at the front gates, resulting in the front gates opening. DUKEDOM was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, DUKEDOM will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. LOTUS BREEZE shifted out at the start, resulting in GRAND CHANCELLOR being crowded for room inside NEW ELEGANCE. From the outside barrier, SMILING PRIDE was steadied shortly after the start and shifted across behind runners. When being steadied from a wide barrier to obtain cover, FAITHFUL TRINITY got its head up and raced ungenerously in the early stages and in doing so bumped the hindquarters of ROUNDABOUT, causing both horses to become unbalanced. A short distance after this, FAITHFUL TRINITY became badly unbalanced when buffeted between ROUNDABOUT and SUCH A HAPPINESS which got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. Passing the 1300 Metres, ROUNDABOUT got its head up when being steadied to obtain cover and awkwardly placed outside the heels of NEW ELEGANCE which shifted out. Passing the 400 Metres, GREEN ENERGY and DUKEDOM raced tight as GREEN ENERGY improved into tight running between that horse and LOTUS BREEZE. HOME RUN was unable to obtain clear running from on straightening until passing the 300 Metres. TAI SMART was badly held up for clear running approaching and passing the 300 Metres and then over the concluding stages raced tight between ROUNDABOUT and GOLD LAND which initially shifted out and then itself was awkwardly placed outside the heels of GREEN ENERGY which shifted out under pressure. When questioned, D Whyte stated that prior to the race both he and Mr C H Yip, the trainer of DUKEDOM, did not believe that today’s race would be run at a good tempo as there did not appear to be many horses engaged which had previously shown early speed. He said as DUKEDOM was stepping up in distance to 1600 Metres today, it was felt that there would be an opportunity, from the wide barrier, for DUKEDOM to obtain a position in advance of midfield. He said with the rail being in the widest position and with the anticipated slow tempo, it was felt that DUKEDOM would not be given the opportunity to finish off its race if it were to be ridden back in the field as had previously been the case. He added after riding DUKEDOM positively in the early stages, it appeared, after the 1300 Metres, that DUKEDOM may be able to shift in to race one horse off the rail, however, LOTUS BREEZE did not continue forward of PING HAI STAR and remained racing in a one-off position which resulted in DUKEDOM being left racing wide and without cover after the 1000 Metres. Mr Yip confirmed the instructions given to Jockey Whyte and the reasons for those instructions. He said, in his opinion, the makeup of today’s field together with the rail placement provided DUKEDOM with the opportunity to obtain a position in about midfield or just forward of midfield, however, the circumstances of the race in the early stages resulted in the horse having to cover ground. When questioned, J Moreira stated that, from barrier 1, he was asked to ride PING HAI STAR positively in the early stages as, in the opinion of Trainer J Size, the horse had over-raced in the early stages at its most recent start when being steadied to obtain cover. He said he was also asked to have the horse racing where it was comfortable and if this meant leading, then this was acceptable, however, if there was good speed shown by other runners, it was equally acceptable to take a trailing position. He said after riding PING HAI STAR positively in the early stages and when other horses did not cross to lead, PING HAI STAR was able to lead the race on the rail without having to be pressured. He said however when LOTUS BREEZE and WINWIN RUBY raced outside PING HAI STAR in the middle stages, PING HAI STAR travelled keenly and consequently was not able to finish off the race strongly. He said, in his opinion, PING HAI STAR may be better suited by being able to take a trailing position without having to be restrained to do so. PING HAI STAR, NEW ELEGANCE and GREEN ENERGY were sent for sampling.