25/10/2009  Shatin  Race 10

FIRST BEAT was withdrawn on 23.10.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (coughing and mucus in trachea on scoping after track work) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter CHATER D’CAT. Before being allowed to race again, FIRST BEAT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BRAVE SPIRIT became fractious in the gates and got its head under the front gates, resulting in the front gates being damaged. In this incident, the bridle fitted to BRAVE SPIRIT came loose. BRAVE SPIRIT was removed from the stalls and subjected to a veterinary examination. The Veterinary Officer reported that BRAVE SPIRIT had sustained abrasions on the bridge of the nose and the left wither and in his opinion it was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of BRAVE SPIRIT. All horses were unloaded from the barriers. After being unloaded, it was noted that GLORY OF INDIA, which kicked out on a number of occasions when initially being difficult to load, was found to be bleeding from a laceration to the left hind cannon. GLORY OF INDIA was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said it was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards also ordered the withdrawal of GLORY OF INDIA. Before being allowed to race again, BRAVE SPIRIT and GLORY OF INDIA will both have to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GRAND DRAGON began awkwardly and lost ground. Near the 1500 Metres, THE ONLY KID was momentarily crowded for room inside GRAND PROFIT which was taken in slightly by SOARING DRAGON. After the 1000 Metres, CHATER D’CAT was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 400 Metres, RIBOT LEGEND and BEAUTY EXPRESS bumped. For some distance passing the 300 Metres, ARION OF CHIU TON (B Prebble) was held up behind SUPER CARDED which commenced to give ground. Then, passing the 100 Metres, ARION OF CHIU TON, which was laying out, shifted out and bumped CHATER D’CAT. B Prebble explained that he was not happy with the galloping action of ARION OF CHIU TON which got its head on the side and wanted to continually shift ground. He said, in his opinion, ARION OF CHIU TON did not stretch out as he felt it should. Before being allowed to race again, ARION OF CHIU TON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Near the 200 Metres, GRAND DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of BEAUTY EXPRESS which shifted out after being bumped by RIBOT LEGEND. When being shifted out, GRAND DRAGON bumped with SUPER CARDED which became unbalanced. A veterinary inspection of GRAND PROFIT after the race did not show any significant findings. SOARING DRAGON and GRAND DRAGON were sent for sampling.