12/01/2008  Shatin  Race 5

After arriving at the Start, S K Sit (KA KA SMART) expressed concern over the action of the horse during the preliminary. KA KA SMART was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. On jumping, SHATIN WIN WIN and TELECOM SIR bumped. Near the 1100 Metres, DEERFIELD and TRIUMPHANT GLORY were steadied when crowded for room inside MOSHI MOSHI which itself was crowded for room and checked when inside the heels of BEAUTIFUL CHOICE (A Delpech) which after initially being carried in by HEART TO HEART (H W Lai) then shifted in of its own accord. In the circumstances, A Delpech and H W Lai were advised to exercise greater care. After this incident, MOSHI MOSHI proved difficult to settle. At the 700 Metres, TRIUMPHANT GLORY was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of BEAUTIFUL CHOICE. After this, TRIUMPHANT GLORY travelled three wide and without cover. After the 200 Metres, TELECOM SIR became unbalanced. Throughout the race, REAL PLEASURE travelled wide and without cover. Also PRIMIATA travelled wide and without cover throughout the race, in the Straight gave ground, then over the concluding stages was eased down. The performance of PRIMIATA, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PRIMIATA will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Mr Y S Tsui, trainer of BEAUTIFUL CHOICE, said at the horse’s most recent start from the outside barrier, he had instructed M W Leung to ride the horse in a rearward position. He said prior to the race he anticipated BEAUTIFUL CHOICE would have to have too much use made of it in the early stages to cross and avoid being caught wide as he felt the tempo of the race would be genuine. He said however the race was run at a tempo slower than he had anticipated and that he was satisfied with the riding of M W Leung. He said on that occasion BEAUTIFUL CHOICE closed the race off nicely in a race which was not run to suit. He said for today’s race he engaged the services of A Delpech as he felt BEAUTIFUL CHOICE would benefit from a stronger rider. He said he does not believe BEAUTIFUL CHOICE is a horse which is able to travel wide and without cover in its races and for this reason in the majority of its races when it has drawn a wide barrier, it has not been ridden forward. He added when BEAUTIFUL CHOICE was ridden forward from a wide barrier earlier in its career, in his opinion the horse performed poorly. He said in future should BEAUTIFUL CHOICE draw a wide barrier and he is of the opinion the horse does not have the pace to travel forward without being caught wide, he will instruct riders to obtain a position with cover. When questioned regarding the poor performance of MOSHI MOSHI, D Beadman said he rode the horse in a manner to enable it to finish the race off. He said after being interfered with near the 1100 Metres, MOSHI MOSHI lost some ground, however, still maintained in his opinion a reasonable position. He said in the middle stages MOSHI MOSHI travelled well and coming around the Home Turn he shifted to follow the eventual winner, BEAUTIFUL CHOICE. He said after this he commenced to ride MOSHI MOSHI along, however, the horse did not respond to his riding. He said in the past MOSHI MOSHI has shown itself to not always be genuine. REAL PLEASURE and MOSHI MOSHI were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of REAL PLEASURE and MOSHI MOSHI after the race did not show any significant findings. BEAUTIFUL CHOICE and DEERFIELD were sent for sampling. After the race, DEERFIELD was reported by the Veterinary Officer to be distressed. Before being allowed to race again, DEERFIELD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.