06/01/2008  Shatin  Race 9

When the gates opened, THE GOODIES stood flat-footed and lost a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, THE GOODIES will have to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. ALL CHANCES began awkwardly and lost ground. From a wide barrier, MARIACHI was taken across behind runners. Near the 1500 Metres, MONTE CRISTO was checked to lose ground to enable it to shift in across the heels of JUBILOSO. At the 1200 Metres, QUEST FOR LOVE, which had been proving difficult to settle, got its head up when being checked away from the heels of AMSTERDAM. After the 600 Metres, ALL CHANCES got its head on the side, hung out and was checked away from the heels of BOLD WIN. EQUATOR KID, which was racing to the outside of ALL CHANCES, was bumped. Making the Home Turn, MARIACHI raced tight outside JUBILOSO which was endeavouring to shift out. On straightening, FIRST BABY was steadied away from the heels of AMSTERDAM which at this time was being bumped and carried wider by MONTE CRISTO (F Coetzee) which shifted to the outside of EQUATOR KID into clear running. MARIACHI, which was following FIRST BABY, was steadied in consequence. F Coetzee was told he should exercise greater care in obtaining clear running. At the 50 Metres, JUBILOSO was momentarily steadied away from the heels of MARIACHI which shifted in when barely clear. Close to the line, FIRST BABY was steadied when awkwardly placed between MARIACHI which shifted in and AMSTERDAM which shifted out. Because of this, FIRST BABY was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. In the Straight, FIRST BABY hung in and ALL CHANCES hung out. B Prebble (BOLD WIN) was told he must desist in reaching out by way of a celebratory gesture and making contact with other riders after passing the winning post. It was noted B Prebble had acted similarly following Race 11 last Tuesday. Mr D J Hall, trainer of JUBILOSO, explained he had instructed Apprentice K L Chui, the rider of the horse, to position it somewhere around midfield if possible as he believed the tempo of the race would only be moderate. Apprentice Chui confirmed the riding instructions and said on jumping he was crowded for room between FIRST BABY and BOLD WIN. He said when this crowding occurred, his left foot made contact with the stirrup of D Whyte (FIRST BABY) and was painful. He said after this he did not ride to go forward but rather allowed JUBILOSO to become balanced and as a consequence travelled further back than instructed. He said making the Home Turn he endeavoured to shift out to find clear running, however, he had difficulty doing so and as a consequence after the 300 Metres he steadied his mount to shift to the outside of FIRST BABY. After viewing the video, Apprentice Chui acknowledged in the early stages there was an opportunity for him to shift across to the fence sooner than he did which would have prevented MONTE CRISTO from improving its position on his inside. Apprentice Chui was told to ensure he rides his mounts to the best advantage at all times. FIRST BABY was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of FIRST BABY after the race did not show any significant findings. MARIACHI, BOLD WIN and ALL CHANCES were sent for sampling.