02/03/2013  Shatin  Race 1

After being loaded, PETIT PRINCE became fractious and lunged at the front gates, resulting in the gates opening. PETIT PRINCE was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, PETIT PRINCE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. SUNSHINE BOY stood flat-footed as the start was effected and lost ground. Before being allowed to race again, SUNSHINE BOY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. TREASURE GLITTER and PILLOWIN were slow to begin. GORGEOUS LIFE and PETIT PRINCE bumped at the start. Approaching the 1300 Metres, TELECOM TOP STAR became unbalanced when momentarily tightened for room inside TREASURE GLITTER. At the 1200 Metres, PILLOWIN commenced to prove very difficult to settle and had to be checked away from the heels of PETIT PRINCE for some distance. CRIMSON, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of PILLOWIN near the 1100 Metres. PILLOWIN continued to prove very difficult to settle and near the 900 Metres was checked away from the heels of TREASURE GLITTER which shifted out when being steadied away from the heels of PETIT PRINCE (R Fourie) which shifted in when not properly clear. R Fourie was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in future. SUNSHINE BOY, which was following TREASURE GLITTER, commenced to over-race and had to be steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Due to the tempo of the race in the middle stages, HERO WIN was checked away from the heels of PILLOWIN after the 900 Metres and then shifted out, resulting in BACKSTREET FIGHTER being bumped and taken wider. Also after the 900 Metres, CLEMENT SPIRIT (M L Yeung) blundered badly after striking the heels of SUNSHINE BOY. In this incident, M L Yeung became badly unbalanced in the saddle. For some distance after the 400 Metres, SUNSHINE BOY had difficulty obtaining clear running and then passing the 300 Metres was steadied when disappointed for running between PETIT PRINCE and DR UNION which shifted in slightly. After the 200 Metres, TELECOM TOP STAR was reluctant to proceed into tight running between CITY DELIGHT and ALP GLORY. In the Straight, HERO WIN hung in and proved difficult to ride. For the majority of the race, DR UNION travelled wide and without cover. After the race, Z Purton reported that BACKSTREET FIGHTER hung out under pressure in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of CLEMENT SPIRIT including an endoscopic examination immediately following the race showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, CLEMENT SPIRIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of PILLOWIN immediately following the race revealed the horse to have sustained wounds to the inside of the right front cannon and to be lame in the same leg. Before being allowed to race again, PILLOWIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GRACYTOM, TELECOM TOP STAR, CITY DELIGHT and ALP GLORY were sent for sampling.