26/09/2010  Shatin  Race 10

ST DIDAR and NEEDLES AND THREAD were crowded for room at the start between NO MORE GREEN and NEW GLORY, both of which shifted ground. From wide draws, ABLE SPEED and JOHNSON were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, EXPRESS WIN, which was slow to begin, was steadied when crowded for room between NEW GLORY and GOOD WORDS which shifted in away from SUPER BOY after initially being bumped by that horse. Passing the 1000 Metres, NEW GLORY proved difficult to settle and got its head up when being steadied to allow ENRICHED to cross. Near the 350 Metres, ENRICHED was steadied when crowded for room between BRILLIANT CHAPTER (Apprentice T H So) and SEEK N’ DESTROY (Apprentice M L Yeung) which both shifted ground. Both Apprentices So and Yeung were advised to ensure in similar circumstances they take sufficient measures to prevent their mounts from shifting ground. Passing the 200 Metres, ST DIDAR, which was closing off strongly, was shifted to the inside of BRILLIANT CHAPTER to continue improving. Near the 100 Metres, NEEDLES AND THREAD became unbalanced when momentarily crowded for room between ENRICHED and PERFECT GEAR, both of which shifted ground. Throughout the race, SEEK N’ DESTROY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of ENRICHED, D Whyte stated that after beginning well, the horse took up a more forward position than had been expected. He said making the turn near the 850 Metres ENRICHED was bumped by GOOD WORDS which improved to its outside and after this ENRICHED got its head up and proved difficult to settle. He said whilst not over-racing, ENRICHED then travelled keenly and because of this when placed under pressure was not able to finish off the race. He also added whilst ENRICHED encountered interference near the 350 Metres, this had no significance bearing on the horse’s finishing position. When questioned, M Chadwick advised that he had been instructed to ride GOOD WORDS behind the leaders if possible today as the horse had performed well in its previous starts in Hong Kong when ridden in this manner. He said GOOD WORDS began only fairly and he was obliged to ride his mount along in the early stages to obtain a forward position as instructed. He said after riding GOOD WORDS along in the early part of the race, the horse took charge of him approaching the 1000 Metres and he was not able to restrain GOOD WORDS to take up a trailing position. He said as he was racing in a three wide position to the outside of ENRICHED, rather than continue to fight with GOOD WORDS, he elected to allow the horse to stride forward in the hope that the horse, after obtaining the lead, would settle better. He said whilst GOOD WORDS did race more tractably after obtaining the lead, it came under pressure in the early part of the Straight and was most disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding in the Straight. Trainer A S Cruz confirmed the instructions given to M Chadwick and advised that GOOD WORDS had done particularly well since its success on 5 September 2010. The performance of GOOD WORDS, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GOOD WORDS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of ENRICHED and GOOD WORDS after the race did not show any significant findings. GOOD WORDS, NO MORE GREEN and ST DIDAR were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that NEEDLES AND THREAD had lost its left front plate. <27/9/2010 Additional Veterinary Reports > ENRICHED, which performed poorly, was examined by the Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison. He said at that time there were no significant findings. ENRICHED was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer J Size this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in the left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, ENRICHED will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.