01/02/2009  Shatin  Race 5

TOP HONOR began awkwardly, bumped the inside gate of its stall and lost ground. After the 1200 Metres, SYLLABUS, which had been racing wide and without cover, was ridden along to go forward and shift closer to the rail. In the early part of the Straight, EXPRESS WIN, which was experiencing difficulty obtaining clear running, was steadied and shifted to the outside of WATCH WHAT HAPPENS to go forward. When EXPRESS WIN was steadied, TOP HONOR, which was following, was also steadied in consequence. Near the 200 Metres, NOBLE CONQUEROR was steadied away from the heels of EXPRESS WIN which in the Straight shifted wider. When questioned, C W Wong (EXPRESS WIN) said he had been instructed to lead or to follow the leaders. He said SILVER SUN began well from his inside and immediately took the rail and he therefore elected to follow that horse. He said approaching the 1200 Metres he made some effort to go forward to maintain his position behind SILVER SUN, however, EXPRESS WIN did not respond. He said shortly after the 1200 Metres when he realized WHATABOB was endeavouring to shift in to the position behind SILVER SUN, he again urged EXPRESS WIN to go forward in an endeavour to maintain a position behind the lead, however, his mount did not respond. He said as a consequence at the 1150 Metres WHATABOB was able to shift in to the position trailing SILVER SUN. C W Wong was told in similar circumstances he would be expected to make a greater effort to maintain his position than he did on this occasion. When questioned, Apprentice M Chadwick (DANESIS) said he had been instructed to allow his mount to begin well from the outside barrier and endeavour to obtain a forward position. He said when the gates opened DANESIS bounded in the air, bumped the outside gate of its stall and as a consequence lost ground. He said he then rode DANESIS along in an endeavour to have the horse go forward, however, it failed to muster speed. He said DANESIS made the first turn awkwardly and wide on the track, he therefore elected to remain racing wide in the early stages in the hope that DANESIS would gradually muster, however, the horse failed to do so and travelled in a rearward position. He said at no stage of the race did DANESIS travel well and he was unable to offer an explanation for the performance of the horse. He said he had ridden DANESIS in its final gallop leading into today’s race and in his opinion the horse’s work on that occasion was good. Mr A S Cruz, trainer of DANESIS, was not able to offer any explanation for the performance of the horse. He said despite failing to show early speed and travelling wide for a considerable part of the race, he was somewhat disappointed with the manner in which the horse closed the race off. He said DANESIS in its track work and races appears to have lost the early speed it possessed when it was a younger horse. He said because of this it is now his intention to increase the distances of DANESIS’ races should the opportunity be available. DANESIS was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of DANESIS after the race did not show any significant findings. In the circumstances, the performance of DANESIS was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DANESIS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TOP HONOR was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of TOP HONOR after the race did not show any significant findings. WATCH WHAT HAPPENS and GREAT ACHIEVEMENT were sent for sampling.