28/12/2008  Shatin  Race 6

On jumping, FANTASTIC GUY and DASH bumped. After this, DASH did not muster speed. Making the turn out of the Straight on the first occasion, SAMBUOYANT, which was being shifted in, was bumped by GIVE WELL which shifted out when being steadied away from the heels of LOHAN. As a consequence, both SAMBUOYANT and GIVE WELL lost ground. In the early stages, PERFECT MATCH was taken back. Also in the early stages, BATURO proved difficult to settle and at the 1400 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of HOLIGAN after being crossed by that horse. After the 1200 Metres, LOHAN was left racing without cover. In the early part of the Straight, OCTAGONAL CANYON was held up and unable to obtain clear running. After the 300 Metres, GENIUS MASTER was steadied when momentarily crowded for room between SAMBUOYANT and PERFECT MATCH which shifted out. After the race, M Du Plessis (ZEPHYRUS) reported his mount became unbalanced in its action after the 100 Metres and because of this he stopped riding his mount for a short distance to rebalance it. S K Sit (HOLIGAN) said he had been instructed by Mr A Schutz, trainer of the horse, that if his mount began well and was able to cross into a forward position, he should do so, however, if HOLIGAN did not show sufficient early speed, he should take his mount back from a wide barrier. He said HOLIGAN began well, he was able to cross to the lead without having to make too much use of the horse. He said after entering the Back Straight HAPPY ALL AROUND raced to his outside and as such HOLIGAN did not relax as he had hoped. He said because of this HOLIGAN gave ground shortly after straightening. The performance of HOLIGAN, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HOLIGAN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the improved performance of HAPPY ALL AROUND and the manner in which the horse was ridden today, Trainer A S Cruz said at the horse’s most recent start on the All Weather Track, the horse initially raced in a forward position before being shuffled back in the field when runners improved mid-race. He said at the start prior to that from a wide barrier over the same course and distance as today's race, as instanced in the incident report from that race, he had instructed K L Chui who rode the horse on that occasion to ride it in a midfield position as he was concerned HAPPY ALL AROUND would be left racing wide and without cover. He added that he had also elected to have HAPPY ALL AROUND ridden more quietly on that occasion as he had been disappointed with the horse’s failure to finish its races off when use had been required to be made of it in the early stages to obtain a forward position. He said because of HAPPY ALL AROUND's recent form, despite the horse drawing the outside barrier today, he decided with the weight advantage of a 10 lb claiming apprentice that the horse should be allowed to gradually work its way forward without being made use of to do so. He said in his opinion racing in a more forward position today without having to be hard ridden to do so suited HAPPY ALL AROUND and accounted for its improved performance which was not anticipated by the stable. Mr Cruz was told that now HAPPY ALL AROUND has established form whilst being allowed to travel in a forward position, he should do all that he is able to to ensure the horse race in a consistent manner. SUPREME COMMANDER was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. PERFECT MATCH and ZEPHYRUS were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of SUPREME COMMANDER, PERFECT MATCH and ZEPHYRUS after the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY ALL AROUND and BATURO were sent for sampling.