15/02/2009  Shatin  Race 6

On jumping, WADADELIGHT was taken back. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, when being steadied to obtain a position with cover, MASSIVE STAR got its head up. Making the first turn, GALLANT MASTER was steadied away from the heels of TREASURABLE which in turn was steadied away from the heels of CARE FREE MIDAS which shifted in when barely clear. For the major part of the race, FUJIAN PRINCE hung out, making the turn near the 1400 Metres hung out badly, causing ALICE TOO to be hampered and carried wider. FUJIAN PRINCE was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of FUJIAN PRINCE after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of FUJIAN PRINCE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FUJIAN PRINCE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. For some distance approaching and passing the 200 Metres, MAGIC TURBO had difficulty obtaining clear running. For the major part of the race, MASSIVE STAR travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, C Soumillon (ALICE TOO) said he was instructed to have his mount begin and travel where it was comfortable which was anticipated to be slightly forward of midfield. He said it was anticipated the tempo of today’s race might be stronger than when ALICE TOO was successful at its most recent start. He said on jumping he gave ALICE TOO which had begun well a slap down the shoulder to ensure the horse which does not show natural gate speed did not get too far back. He said very shortly after the start it became apparent to him that a number of runners drawn to his inside were being hard ridden to obtain forward positions, he therefore allowed ALICE TOO to travel where it was comfortable as instructed. He said in the early stages he remained racing wide on the track in a midfield position as it was his intention if the tempo of the race steadied entering the Back Straight he would improve into a forward position. He said making the turn after the 1400 Metres ALICE TOO was hampered and carried significantly wider on the track by FUJIAN PRINCE which shifted out. He said because of this near the 1300 Metres he steadied ALICE TOO to come back and race behind and to the inside of FUJIAN PRINCE. He said after doing this near the 1200 Metres, he then immediately commenced to place ALICE TOO under pressure to go forward from a rearward position, however, his mount did not respond to his riding. He said he then allowed ALICE TOO to become balanced and approaching the turn at the 700 Metres commenced to ride his mount along with the whip. He said ALICE TOO did not respond to his vigorous riding over the final 700 Metres and was disappointing in the manner in which it closed the race off. Mr K W Lui, trainer of ALICE TOO, confirmed the riding instructions issued to C Soumillon and said he anticipated the horse would travel in a position forward of midfield. After viewing the videos of the race Mr Lui said he accepted C Soumillon’s riding of ALICE TOO and in his opinion the horse travelled further back than anticipated after being held wide in the early stages. C Soumillon was told in similar circumstances he would be expected to ride his mount more positively than he did on this occasion in the initial stages of the race. ALICE TOO was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of ALICE TOO after the race did not show any significant findings. Mr Lui was told the performance of ALICE TOO was in the opinion of the Stewards considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ALICE TOO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CHINESE COURSER was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of CHINESE COURSER after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of CHINESE COURSER, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CHINESE COURSER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GALLANT MASTER and OLYMPICSHIP were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that LUCKY TYCOON had sustained a cut to the right hind pastern.