02/02/2008  Shatin  Race 2

FLYING PROFILE was slow to begin. KEEP SMILING began awkwardly and lost ground. SUPER POWER began awkwardly, got its head up, shifted out and bumped DANZIGMOUNTAIN. SINOSPIEL began awkwardly, bumped the inside gate of its stall, then in the early stages hung in badly. Near the 1500 Metres, SUPER POWER was checked when crowded for room inside VITALITY CHAMP which at this time was carried in slightly by SINOSPIEL which was continuing to hang and despite the efforts of its rider, O Doleuze, shifted in away from FISHKING EXCELLENT. As the Stewards were satisfied this incident resulted from SINOSPIEL hanging in, no action was taken. In the early and middle stages, PACIFIC ALLIANCE proved difficult to settle and making the turn at the 800 Metres hung out. For a considerable distance after the 900 Metres, VITALITY CHAMP proved difficult to settle. At the 700 Metres, AS YOU WISH was bumped by KEEP SMILING which shifted out. Also at the 700 Metres, SUPER POWER was checked to avoid the heels of VITALITY CHAMP which itself was checked away from the heels of SUN AWESOME. At the 500 Metres, VITALITY CHAMP became unbalanced when being steadied and shifted out away from the heels of SUN AWESOME which commenced to give ground. After the 200 Metres, the whip of S K Sit (PACIFIC ALLIANCE) broke. The performance of SUN AWESOME, which tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUN AWESOME will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. F Coetzee (SUPER POWER) explained the horse’s poor performance was due to it being difficult to settle after receiving interference near the 1500 Metres. He also added SUPER POWER was inconvenienced when SUN AWESOME gave ground after the 600 Metres. AS YOU WISH and SUPER POWER were sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, AS YOU WISH was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said the horse was severely lame in the right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, AS YOU WISH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SUPER POWER after the race did not show any significant findings. CAPTAIN BUNNY, FISHKING EXCELLENT and LAZY BUDDIES were sent for sampling.