15/09/2008  Shatin  Race 9

HANDSOME TARGET was withdrawn on 13.9.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by first Standby Declared Starter CONGRATULATION (D Whyte). NICE KING was withdrawn on 14.9.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter NEEDLES AND THREAD (K T Yeung). Before being allowed to race again, HANDSOME TARGET and NICE KING will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination. NEEDLES AND THREAD was slow to begin, then lost further ground when checked while awkwardly placed on the heels of LUCKY CHAMPION which began awkwardly and shifted in. DON FELIPE was slow into stride, then in the Straight tailed out. DON FELIPE was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of DON FELIPE after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of DON FELIPE was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DON FELIPE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On jumping, SUNBELL and QUICK TOUCH bumped. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, WHIPLASH failed to muster speed. At the 450 Metres, WHIPLASH, which was endeavouring to shift out, was checked away from the heels of MUTUAL FUN which commenced to shift out at the same time. When questioned, C W Wong (LOCAL POWER) explained from a wide barrier he had been asked to ride the horse in front of midfield with cover if possible. He said LOCAL POWER began satisfactorily, he then shortly after the start rode along for a short distance, however, LOCAL POWER did not show natural speed. He said near the 1200 Metres when it became apparent to him he would be left racing wide and without cover, he elected to steady LOCAL POWER and take it back to a position behind QUICK TOUCH and as such travelled further back than anticipated. CONGRATULATION was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of CONGRATULATION after the race did not show any significant findings. QUICK TOUCH and MUTUAL FUN were sent for sampling. Additional Veterinary Reports (released on 16 September 2008) DON FELIPE, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. DON FELIPE was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer L Ho this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to have restricted action. As previously advised, DON FELIPE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.