11/12/2011  Shatin  Race 7

FAIR TRADE was withdrawn on 9.12.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter OUTDOOR PEGASUS (J Murtagh). Before being allowed to race again, FAIR TRADE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FAT CHOY OOHLALA was slow to begin. RAJSMAN was crowded for room at the start between XTENSION and OUTDOOR PEGASUS which shifted out. After the 1000 Metres, FAT CHOY OOHLALA and DUBAWI GOLD (R Hughes) raced tight as DUBAWI GOLD improved to be racing inside the heels of CITYSCAPE. R Hughes was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he does not allow his mounts to improve into tight running thereby causing interference to other runners. Rounding the Home Turn, APAPANE was bumped by SICHUAN SUCCESS which shifted to the outside of BEAUTY FLASH. XTENSION was badly held up for clear running until passing the 200 Metres and then raced in restricted room between SICHUAN SUCCESS and CITYSCAPE until passing the 100 Metres. Throughout the race, APAPANE and CITYSCAPE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, O Doleuze stated that he had ridden FLYING BLUE two starts ago and the horse had travelled keenly when racing behind the speed. He said it was explained to him by Mr J Size, the trainer of FLYING BLUE, that the horse had also travelled keenly at its most recent start and had not been suited by the slow tempo in its recent races. He said because of this he was instructed by Mr Size to ride the horse in the lead today. He said in accordance with his instructions, he was positive on FLYING BLUE in the early stages and crossed to the fence in the lead after travelling a short distance. He said after obtaining the lead, he allowed FLYING BLUE to stride along. He added that he felt the tempo of the race had been fair, however, he was not aware that he had established a margin over the remainder of the field and that FLYING BLUE had run at a quick tempo. He said rounding the Home Turn FLYING BLUE came under pressure and then gave ground in the Straight. Trainer J Size confirmed that he had instructed Jockey Doleuze to lead on FLYING BLUE as, in his opinion, the horse had not been suited by racing behind horses in average tempo races of late. He said therefore he felt that FLYING BLUE’s best interests would be served if the horse would be able to lead today. He however stated that, in his opinion, Jockey Doleuze had gone too quickly on FLYING BLUE in today’s race. O Doleuze was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, that he had set too fast a tempo on FLYING BLUE and he should have made a more significant effort to steady his mount in the early and middle stages. O Doleuze was severely reprimanded and advised in future that he should ride his mounts in such a manner that they are able to finish off their races. A veterinary inspection of FLYING BLUE after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of FLYING BLUE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FLYING BLUE 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 DESTINED FOR GLORY after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, DESTINED FOR GLORY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. XTENSION, ABLE ONE and CITYSCAPE were sent for sampling.