28/03/2009  Shatin  Race 1

At declaration time, W M Lai was declared as the rider of both GRANDFIELD and TURF WINNER, a Standby Declared Starter. It was established that W M Lai had a firm commitment to ride TURF WINNER. As such, the Stewards permitted C K Tong to be substituted as the rider of GRANDFIELD. For this declaration error, W M Lai was fined $2,000. Whilst in the saddling stalls, HUSSLER had its right front plate reset. HUSSLER was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion in it was suitable to race. SO PRETTY SO SMART began awkwardly and lost ground. MATSUKAZE began awkwardly. On jumping, COVER BOY lost its position when crowded for room between BLESS US ALL which was carried out by HEAVENLY POWERS which on jumping shifted ground and BERNINI which shifted in after being bumped by SABINA. In this incident, BLESS US ALL and BERNINI became unbalanced. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, XAVERIAN QUEST was bumped by MY MEMORY which shifted ground after being bumped by HUSSLER. Near the 700 Metres, HEAVENLY POWERS was checked when crowded for room inside BLESS US ALL which was racing keenly and shifted in when being steadied away from the heels of TERTIARY CHAMPION which shifted in slightly. No action was taken. After the 600 Metres, HAPPY ELITE, which was travelling keenly, was steadied away from the heels of XAVERIAN QUEST which became unbalanced and lost ground when bumped by KEEP GOING which when racing keenly shifted out and bumped HUSSLER and then shifted back in. Making the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, HAPPY ELITE was held up and unable to improve. On straightening, KEEP GOING, which was endeavouring to shift to the outside of MY MEMORY into clear running, bumped with HUSSLER. After the 400 Metres, XAVERIAN QUEST became unbalanced and lost ground. After the 200 Metres, SABINA got its head on the side and hung in. Throughout the race, HUSSLER travelled wide and without cover. Following the race, M Du Plessis (XAVERIAN QUEST), which performed poorly, said his mount travelled greenly behind the lead and was reluctant to hold its position in the run. XAVERIAN QUEST was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of XAVERIAN QUEST after the race did not show any significant findings. MY MEMORY and HUSSLER were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that MY MEMORY was lame in its right front leg and TERTIARY CHAMPION had bled from both nostrils. Before being allowed to race again, MY MEMORY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.