07/06/2009  Shatin  Race 5

WINNING SCHOLAR was withdrawn on 5.6.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind) and was replaced by first Standby Declared Starter SMART KNIGHT (Apprentice M L Yeung). ALL TIME HIGH was also withdrawn on 5.6.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame both fore) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter RAISING SUN (P H Lo). Before being allowed to race again, WINNING SCHOLAR and ALL TIME HIGH will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination. JUNGLE TREASURE was fractious in its stall, then as the gates opened sat back and as a consequence was slow to begin. RAISING SUN was slow to begin, then on jumping shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of SUPER SURVEYS. After the 800 Metres, AMBITIOUS OWNER was carried wider by MY GOAL which was carried out by SUPER SURVEYS which shifted out away from the heels of WING MASTER which was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of RAISING SUN which shifted across to the lead when barely clear. P H Lo was told to exercise greater care. Near the 600 Metres, WING MASTER was steadied away from the heels of RAISING SUN. Prior to straightening, SMART KNIGHT was steadied away from the heels of MY GOAL which was carried wider by SUPER SURVEYS. In the early part of the Straight, SMART KNIGHT hung in. For some distance approaching and passing the 300 Metres, ACCELERATOR proved difficult to shift out into clear running from behind ON SHAN BRAVE. Over about the last 100 Metres, MOONGLOW was held up and unable to obtain clear running and because of this was not fully tested. The performances of HAPPY PROGRESSION and DASH, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY PROGRESSION and DASH will both 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, K T Yeung (AMBITIOUS OWNER) said he had been instructed to endeavour to obtain the box seat if possible. He said AMBITIOUS OWNER began well and he allowed the horse to travel forward at its own speed in the early stages. He said near the 1200 Metres when he commenced to shift across to obtain a position with cover, he noticed a number of runners to his inside and he therefore started to steady AMBITIOUS OWNER. He said in his opinion as the tempo of the race in the early stages was solid, he would have been required to make too much use of his mount to go forward and clear runners to his inside. He said after the 800 Metres he was carried wider and was left racing wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the poor performance of SUPER SURVEYS, J Winks said in his opinion the horse did not appreciate racing in a crossed nose band for the first time today. He said SUPER SURVEYS appeared unsettled by the equipment during its preliminary, then in the run would not settle and over-raced. He said as a consequence SUPER SURVEYS failed to finish the race off in the Straight. SUPER SURVEYS was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of SUPER SURVEYS after the race did not show any significant findings. MY GOAL and NAPA II were sent for sampling.