QE II Cup and the Champions Mile at Sha Tin (April 25)

[my miss storm cat]

Able One! (Who won this race three years ago)...

http://www.hkjc.com/english/racing/r...eno=7&venue=ST

Viva Pataca! (... who also won this one 3 years ago)!

http://www.hkjc.com/english/racing/r...eno=8&venue=ST

7 and 8 years old respectively. Lets hear it for the old men of Hong Kong!

* * *

Their 2007 wins...

Able One...
http://www.hkjc.com/english/racing/r...2007&raceno=07

Viva...
http://www.hkjc.com/english/racing/r...2007&raceno=08

[my miss storm cat]

Epilogue...

Viva Pataca becomes HK's top $ earner... pointed to the Champions and Chater Cup (next month)...

Able One to the Yasuda Kinen.

Collection ("He was in the foulest of moods. He wasn't happy going to the start, he was kicking out and biting at the stalls and he didn't settle early on," - Beadman), Presvis, Lizard's Desire, Super Satin all possible for Singapore.

[my miss storm cat]

The Audemars Piguet QE II Cup, 25 April 2010 Sha Tin Racemeeting - COLLECTION (D Beadman)

26 April 2010

Following the conduct of yesterday's Sha Tin racemeeting and again this morning, the Stewards, as is routine practice, reviewed the videos of all races held during the course of that racemeeting. After having reviewed the video of The Audemars Piguet QE II Cup, the Stewards believed that it was appropriate to question Jockey D Beadman regarding his ride on COLLECTION, particularly over the final 100 Metres.

Jockey Beadman stated that he had been instructed to have the horse racing where it was comfortable and from barrier 8 in a field of 9, it was anticipated that this would be behind midfield as this is the horse's usual racing pattern. He said that in the Parade Ring and particularly after entering the course proper, COLLECTION became very stirred up and was reluctant to proceed to the barriers. He said this was most unusual for the horse as it has never previously shown this inclination when ridden by him. He said as COLLECTION was in an agitated mood, he elected to follow VIVA PATACA, which was being led to the barriers by a lead pony, in order to have COLLECTION proceed more kindly to the Start, however, despite this, COLLECTION continued to be reluctant to proceed to the barriers. He said after arriving at the barriers, he attempted to give COLLECTION a warm up, however, the horse continued to prove difficult to manage. He said after being loaded into the barrier stalls, COLLECTION became fractious and attempted to bite the inside of the stalls which again was most unusual with the horse. He said when the gates opened, UNIQUE JEWELLERY shifted in and bumped COLLECTION, however, in the early stages of the race COLLECTION travelled kindly in a position behind the main body of the field. He said the tempo of the race in the very early stages was fair and he attempted to maintain a position one off the fence following SUPER SATIN passing the 1600 Metres, however, at this time the pace of the race slackened appreciably and COLLECTION commenced to over-race. He said also at this point of the race UNIQUE JEWELLERY applied pressure to COLLECTION and due to the slackening of the pace and the manner in which COLLECTION was over-racing, UNIQUE JEWELLERY was able to shift COLLECTION in from the one off position to the fence. He said after being taken onto the fence, COLLECTION commenced to lay in and continued to do so, particularly along the Back Straight.

He said rounding the Home Turn he elected to come to the outside of SUPER SATIN rather than attempt to take inside runs as he felt that this would provide COLLECTION with clear and unimpeded running in the Straight. He said it took him some time to be able to shift UNIQUE JEWELLERY out in order for COLLECTION to obtain a run to the outside of SUPER SATIN, however, he was able to do this passing the 400 Metres. He said after balancing COLLECTION up, he commenced riding the horse along passing the 300 Metres. He said when being ridden with the whip in the right hand, COLLECTION continued to lay in and shift ground inwards towards SUPER SATIN. He said as he was mindful that COLLECTION had shifted in abruptly at its most recent start when ridden by him, resulting in interference being caused to runners on the inside, he continued to ride the horse with the whip in the right hand but applied pressure to the left hand rein in an attempt to prevent COLLECTION from shifting in further. He said although he was obliged to apply pressure to the left hand rein, particularly in the run to the finishing line, he rode COLLECTION with the whip from near the 200 Metres until right to the winning post and, in his opinion, in the circumstances, he fully tested the horse and COLLECTION was able to obtain the best possible finishing position.

D Beadman stated that whilst he had not ridden the horse at its final gallop on Saturday, 17 April 2010, it had been reported to him that COLLECTION was found to have blood in the trachea following the gallop. He said for this reason Mr J Moore, the trainer of COLLECTION, decided not to gallop the horse again in the lead up to this race as it has been prior to its race starts in the past. He said although this issue did not inhibit his ability to ride COLLECTION out in the run to the finish, he was mindful when riding COLLECTION that the horse had been found to have blood in its trachea after its last piece of fast work.

Having in mind the evidence of D Beadman in respect of this matter, the Stewards advised him that before giving consideration to his evidence, they would adjourn the matter until Mr Moore, who was not present in Hong Kong, may be interviewed.

A subsequent check of COLLECTION's veterinary records confirmed that the horse was found to have mild to moderate blood in its trachea following track work on Saturday, 17 April 2010.