21/11/2010  Shatin  Race 4

SEXY BABY began awkwardly and shortly after the start was steadied when crowded for room between STORM’S DESTINY and KOWLOON PRIDE which shifted in. As the start was effected, VINSANTO lifted its front feet off the ground and got its head up on a number of occasions. VINSANTO was then taken across behind runners shortly after the start. From outside barriers, FULL PACK and JOYFUL YEARS were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, when being steadied to obtain a position behind DECAGONAL, MASTER DRAGON (Apprentice K C Leung) clipped the heels of that horse and blundered badly. Apprentice Leung was advised to ensure that his mounts do not race too close to the heels of the runners in front. Near the 700 Metres, SEXY BABY raced in restricted room between COULDN’T CARE LESS and GALLANT GALLOP. Approaching the 600 Metres, JOYFUL YEARS was steadied away from the heels of HUMONGUS. Near the 600 Metres, SEXY BABY got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of COULDN’T CARE LESS. At the 400 Metres, KOWLOON PRIDE was checked when attempting a run between LUCKY MONEY STAR and DASH where there was insufficient room. D Whyte (KOWLOON PRIDE) pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 100(2) in that he failed to ride KOWLOON PRIDE, 6th placegetter, out to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards. For this reason, D Whyte was fined the sum of $20,000. When questioned, O Doleuze (LIGHTNING MOUNT) stated that passing the winning post on the first occasion he was left racing in a three wide position without cover after beginning from barrier 11. He said he had DASH positioned to his inside in advance of LIGHTNING MOUNT and passing the 1300 Metres gave consideration to allowing LIGHTNING MOUNT to stride forward to obtain a position closer to the fence. He said however that he would have had to make too much muse of LIGHTNING MOUNT to cross DASH at this time and in any case he felt as though it was probable DASH would have been allowed to stride forward if LIGHTNING MOUNT had gone forward which would have resulted in the horse continuing to race wide and without cover but having to be made use of at this time of the race. He said for this reason he elected to remain racing in a position three wide and without cover. After the race, D Beadman reported that GALLANT GALLOP’s action did not feel comfortable at any stage of the race. A veterinary inspection of GALLANT GALLOP after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of DECAGONAL, which weakened in the Straight and finished tailed out, after the race revealed that the horse was lame in its left front leg Before being allowed to race again, DECAGONAL will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of VINSANTO after the race did not show any significant findings. STORM’S DESTINY and LUCKY MONEY STAR were sent for sampling.