01/10/2008  Shatin  Race 9

CHINA WIN was slow to begin. STILTON began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, DILIGENT II was crowded for room between JADE DRAGONFLY and INTERCHINA STAR, both of which shifted ground. In the early stages, MUTUAL FRIENDSHIP proved difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions. Also in the early stages, FLORAL PICASSO from a wide barrier when racing wide and without cover proved difficult to settle. HIGH INTELLIGENT jumped a mark on the track at the 500 Metres. MUTUAL FRIENDSHIP, which was following, was steadied in consequence. At the 300 Metres, FLORAL PICASSO was steadied away from the heels of FEVER PITCH which shifted out. F Coetzee (FEVER PITCH) explained when he had previously ridden the horse in a barrier trial, he had applied pressure to it in the early stages and the horse then proved very difficult for him to settle. He said today after beginning on terms with the field, he did not ride his mount along as he believed the horse in a slowly run race would be left racing wide and proved difficult for him to settle. He said because of this in the early stages he took FEVER PITCH back and ensured it relaxed. He said when ridden in this manner FEVER PITCH finished the race off strongly. When questioned, C K Tong (HIGH INTELLIGENT) said he had been instructed to ride the horse where it was comfortable, however, he was not to ride his mount along in the early stages. He said it was anticipated HIGH INTELLIGENT would race slightly forward of midfield. He said HIGH INTELLIGENT began well, he immediately obtained a forward position outside ICHIBAN. He said for some distance approaching and passing the 1000 Metres he steadied his mount in an endeavour to obtain a position behind ICHIBAN and to avoid travelling three wide. Trainer A T Millard confirmed the instructions as stated by C K Tong. He added prior to the race he did not believe HIGH INTELLIGENT would be able to lead due to the race being run over the distance of 1400 Metres. He said for this reason he anticipated that HIGH INTELLIGENT would race behind the speed. C K Tong was told in the circumstances of this race, particularly bearing in mind the tempo, his riding of HIGH INTELLIGENT in the early stages had come under notice. He was advised he would be expected to show more initiative in the manner in which he rides his mounts and must adapt his riding tactics to suit the circumstances of the race. ICHIBAN, ENCHANTED and INTERCHINA STAR were sent for sampling.