30/11/2008  Shatin  Race 5

Throughout the race, LITTLE BIG BOY travelled wide and without cover and making the Home Turn hung out. In the early part of the Straight, LIVERBIRD was held up and unable to improve. The performance of GENIUS MASTER, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GENIUS MASTER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. E Saint-Martin (SUPREME DRAGON) explained the intention had been to have the horse ridden in a midfield position as usual. He said from the outside barrier SUPREME DRAGON began well, it soon became apparent to him that he would be left racing wide on the track, so he took his mount further back than instructed before endeavouring to improve his position along the rail. He said SUPREME DRAGON travelled satisfactorily in the run, then making the Home Turn he decided to steady towards the inside as running presented itself for him to improve his position. He said as he commenced to improve after straightening, he was required to shift out around GENIUS MASTER which was giving ground. He said he continued to ride SUPREME DRAGON along hands and heels and the horse responded to his riding. He said approaching the 200 Metres he was following EVER KING, he expected that horse to quicken given the manner in which it was travelling and it was his intention to follow EVER KING through. He said after the 200 Metres when he was experiencing difficulty obtaining clear running, a run began to present itself between EVER KING and KING OF SHAVER. He said as he commenced to improve towards that run, KING OF SHAVER shifted out and as a consequence over the last 100 Metres he was not able to obtain clear running and therefore was not able to ride his mount out to the end of the race. He said for him to have taken the run which presented itself on the inside of KING OF SHAVER when that horse shifted out would have required him to steady his mount and shift back to the rail. E Saint-Martin was told his explanation would be reported. D Whyte (SUPREME COMMANDER) said the intention had been to have the horse ridden in a forward position. He said because of this he rode his mount positively in the early stages, however, as he commenced to cross from a wide barrier he noticed a number of runners being hard ridden on his inside to go forward. He said in his opinion he would have been required to make too much use of SUPREME COMMANDER to cross into a forward position and therefore rather than be caught wide, he steadied his mount and took it back to a position with cover just behind midfield. G Mossé (VILLAGE KID) explained he had been instructed to ride his mount in a forward position from an inside barrier and if the pace was not strong, it would be acceptable for him to lead. He said after VILLAGE KID was slow to begin, he rode his mount along in an endeavour to carry out his instructions. He said as he did this, EXPEDITIOUS and EVER KING which had drawn to his inside held their positions and as a consequence he was obliged to travel three wide and without cover. He said VILLAGE KID relaxed nicely and travelled comfortably in the run, however, in the Straight did not finish the race off as he felt it would. VILLAGE KID was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, VILLAGE KID was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said the horse was making an abnormal breathing noise and an endoscopic examination confirmed it to be a “roarer”. GIVE WELL and MAJESTIC HEART were sent for sampling.