01/01/2009  Shatin  Race 9

After being boxed, MAINLAND SHUTTLE became fractious, reared, lunged forward and broke open the front gate of its stall. MAINLAND SHUTTLE was removed from its stall and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse had hit its head on the front gate of its stall and sustained cuts to its left front leg and in his opinion was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of MAINLAND SHUTTLE. Before being allowed to race again, MAINLAND SHUTTLE will have to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, VICTORY TREASURE failed to muster speed. GOOD GAINS began awkwardly. At the 1500 Metres, GREAT SHOW was crowded for room inside SUPER BABY which got its head on the side and shifted in away from GOOD GAINS. As SUPER BABY was being straightened to relieve the pressure it had been applying to GREAT SHOW, it lost ground. After the 1400 Metres, DILIGENT II, which commenced to improve its position towards the inside of GOOD GAINS, became unbalanced and was checked when crowded for room inside GOOD GAINS which at the same time as being steadied away from the heels of SUPER CAGA which in turn was steadied away from the heels of WIND KNIGHT was bumped by VICTORY TREASURE which initially had its head on the side and was shifting in away from PACIFICO (E Saint-Martin) and then was carried in further by that horse. In all the circumstances, the Stewards could not attribute blame to any rider, however, E Saint-Martin was reprimanded and told in similar circumstances he would be expected to allow runners to his inside comfortable racing room. Also after the 1400 Metres, TRIUMPHANT DIAMOND, which was travelling wide and without cover, was allowed to stride forward, however, continued to race without cover. Near the 800 Metres, GOOD GAINS became unbalanced when being steadied away from the heels of WIN AGAIN. At the 800 Metres, NOBLE HEART was steadied away from the heels of VICTORY TREASURE. After the 800 Metres, PACIFICO was carried wider by SUPER CAGA, then for the remainder of the race travelled wide and without cover. At the 600 Metres, GOOD GAINS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WIN AGAIN after being bumped by VICTORY TREASURE which at this time improved its position inside the heels of SUPER CAGA. On straightening, DILIGENT II was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of GOOD GAINS. At the 350 Metres, Z Purton (SUPER CAGA) dropped his whip. Near the 300 Metres, GREAT SHOW, which was commencing to close the race off, was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of TRIUMPHANT DIAMOND to continue going forward. When questioned, Y T Cheng (GREAT SHOW) explained after the 200 Metres he rode his mount which was closing the race off fairly towards available running between SUPER CAGA and SUPER BABY. He said after the 100 Metres as he improved his position, the run between these horses closed as both runners shifted ground. He said because of this over about the final 75 Metres he was not able to ride his mount out, therefore it was not fully tested. Y T Cheng was told his riding over the concluding stages had come under notice and he should have made endeavours to ensure his mount was provided with clear running in the run to the line. SUPER BABY was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of SUPER BABY after the race did not show any significant findings. GOOD GAINS, LEGEND OF COLOUR and CHAMPION LAD were sent for sampling.