18/01/2009  Shatin  Race 2

ME THE BEST was slow to begin. MASTER MASTER was taken back in the early stages. Near the 1200 Metres, KINGSTON TEMPLE was steadied away from the heels of ELEPHANT STAR. Also near the 1200 Metres, ME THE BEST was steadied when awkwardly placed inside NOBLE TWINS. Approaching the turn at the 800 Metres, FILEBO and FRAMES DEPOT became unbalanced after bumping. Shortly after this, FILEBO was steadied away from the heels of KINGSTON TEMPLE. In the early part of the Straight, NOBLE TWINS and KINGSTON TEMPLE raced tight. Near the 300 Metres, FILEBO was steadied and shifted in when disappointed for running between FRAMES DEPOT and WINNING AHEAD which got its head on the side, shifted out abruptly and then bumped with FRAMES DEPOT. After the 200 Metres, NOBLE TWINS, which was hanging out, was bumped on the hindquarters by KINGSTON TEMPLE. After this, NOBLE TWINS continued to hang out. In the run to the line, FILEBO got its head on the side, shifted in and raced tight outside WINNING AHEAD which was hanging out. Because of this, FILEBO was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. Throughout the race, SPEED OF LIGHT travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice T H So (SUPER FAMILY) explained he followed TIMBER CITY in the run and rounding the Home Turn it appeared to him that horse would shift away from the rail and enable him to obtain a run to its inside. He said because of this on straightening he did not shift out from behind TIMBER CITY to follow DECAGONAL forward. He said in the Straight TIMBER CITY maintained its position close to the rail and as a consequence he was held up and unable to improve until near the 300 Metres when he checked his mount after being disappointed for running inside TIMBER CITY. Apprentice So was told in the opinion of the Stewards he had erred by not shifting out to follow DECAGONAL in the early part of the Straight. B Prebble (FRAMES DEPOT) said he had been instructed to ride his mount with cover if possible. He said he had noted in the past FRAMES DEPOT when racing without cover had a tendency to over-race and accordingly had failed to finish its races off. He said from barrier 10 in accordance with his instructions, he did not ride FRAMES DEPOT to go forward in the early stages and gradually shifted his mount towards the rail. He said as a consequence of ensuring FRAMES DEPOT obtained over, the horse travelled behind midfield. He said FRAMES DEPOT travelled fairly throughout the run and closed the race off well. NOBLE TWINS, SPEED OF LIGHT and DECAGONAL were sent for sampling.