09/09/2007  Shatin  Race 5

After arriving at the Start, the tongue tie fitted to NOT QUITE PERFECT was replaced. BUCCANEER was slow to begin. On jumping, ROCKET POWER and PRIMIATA bumped. CARE FREE PRINCE began awkwardly. On straightening, THUNDER VALLEY was bumped by GALLANT KNIGHT which endeavoured to shift out to obtain clear running. For some distance after straightening, BUCCANEER had some difficulty obtaining clear running. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied the riding of S K Sit (LIVERBIRD) over the concluding stages did not affect the horse's finishing position, he nonetheless was reminded of his responsibilities to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels to the winning post where possible. S K Sit explained near the 1200 Metres he had a position following GALLANT KNIGHT. He said after the 1200 Metres despite his niggling LIVERBIRD along, the horse failed to obtain a position and as a consequence lost ground. When LIVERBIRD lost ground, BUCCANEER, which was following, also lost ground. Y T Cheng (NOT QUITE PERFECT) explained he had been instructed from a wide barrier to ride the horse in a rearward position. He said it was felt if the horse went forward, it would not be able to obtain a favourable position with cover. Mr A Lee, trainer of NOT QUITE PERFECT, confirmed the riding instructions issued. He said when the horse is drawn a more favourable position, it has been ridden further forward and will be in the future. He said from wide draws he believed NOT QUITE PERFECT is better suited ridden more patiently. He said he anticipated the speed of today's race to be very quick and because of this he felt it was in the best interest to have the horse ridden in a rearward position. Mr Lee was told to ensure horses trained by him perform consistently where possible. S Dye (KAISER'S PRIZE) explained after straightening he commenced to ride his mount along hands and heels, however, there was no clear running available for him. He said because of this he continued to ride KAISER'S PRIZE along hands and heels until after the 200 Metres when he commenced to ride the horse out with the whip. He said when being ridden out with the whip, KAISER'S PRIZE did not respond to his riding and failed to finish the race off as in his opinion it should have. S Dye was told to ensure he rides his mounts out in the Home Straight in a manner which will not give rise to question. When questioned regarding the poor performance of MEDIC LEGION, B Prebble said on jumping the horse stumbled. He said after this MEDIC LEGION travelled comfortably in a rearward position and followed the eventual winner, CARE FREE PRINCE. He said prior to the 600 Metres he commenced to ride along to maintain a position behind CARE FREE PRINCE, however, when that horse shifted into clear running in the early part of the Straight, despite his hard riding MEDIC LEGION was unable to follow it through. He said MEDIC LEGION was most disappointing in the manner in which it closed the race off. He did say MEDIC LEGION was today racing first up following surgery on both front fetlocks. Before being allowed to race again, MEDIC LEGION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the poor performance of PRIMIATA, D Whyte said the horse travelled only fairly throughout the race. He said in his opinion the track work and barrier trial of PRIMIATA leading into today's race was not as good as the work of the horse towards the end of last season. He did say in his opinion PRIMIATA showed signs of having not fully recovered from a heavy racing schedule last season. KAISER'S PRIZE, MEDIC LEGION and PRIMIATA were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of KAISER'S PRIZE, MEDIC LEGION and PRIMIATA after the race did not show any significant findings. ROCKET POWER, CARE FREE PRINCE and WAIT FOR ME were sent for sampling. Additional Veterinary Reports (released on 10 September 2007) MEDIC LEGION, which performed poorly, was examined by the Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison. He said at that time there were no significant findings. MEDIC LEGION was again examined by the Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison at the stables of Trainer P O’Sullivan this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in the left hind leg. As previously advised, MEDIC LEGION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.