03/05/2009  Shatin  Race 2

SAVUTE was withdrawn on 2.5.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore). Before being allowed to race again, SAVUTE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WINNING STRATEGY began awkwardly and got its head up. In the early stages, despite being ridden along, ANIMATION failed to muster speed. Near the 1200 Metres, DIVINE KID became unbalanced in its action and lost ground as SUPER SURVEYS shifted towards it. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, DIVINE KID again became unbalanced in its action and lost ground when racing inside the heels of SUPER SURVEYS. Trainer K W Lui was told the racing manners of DIVINE KID were unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DIVINE KID will have to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial around a bend from an inside barrier. At the 1200 Metres, CHINA HERO and SUPER SURVEYS bumped. After the 1000 Metres, WINNING STRATEGY became unbalanced when crowded for room inside LEGEND which was racing keenly and shifted in. No action was taken. Shortly after straightening, DIVINE KID was bumped and carried wider by LEGEND which shifted out to obtain clear running. After the 200 Metres, GRAND GENERAL was momentarily steadied away from the heels of ANIMATION which shifted in when barely clear. Throughout the race, SPEED AND GOLD travelled wide and without cover and finished tailed out. The performance of SPEED AND GOLD was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SPEED AND GOLD will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, Y T Cheng (GRAND GENERAL) said he had been instructed to ride his mount in a position with cover. He said in accordance with those instructions after beginning well he did not ride along in the early stages and allowed GRAND GENERAL to drift back, however, he was not able to shift in when SIR LAGO held its position to his inside, he therefore took GRAND GENERAL which was racing keenly back to a position with the rear to ensure it had cover. When questioned regarding his riding around the Home Turn, Y T Cheng said at the 600 Metres he shifted to a three wide position to follow SPEED AND GOLD. He said he continued racing in this position despite having had the opportunity to shift to the outside of SPEED AND GOLD rounding the Home Turn. He said approaching the Home Turn it became apparent to him that SPEED AND GOLD was commencing to drift wider on the track and running began to present itself on the inside of that horse, he therefore elected to improve on the inside of SPEED AND GOLD rather than covering additional ground by shifting to the outside of that horse. He said more or less on straightening clear running presented itself which provided his mount unimpeded running in the Home Straight. ANIMATION and LEGEND were sent for sampling.