30/01/2011  Shatin  Race 9

CROWN WITNESS was withdrawn on 27.1.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (substantial amount of mucus in trachea on scoping after track work) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter LU YUE. Before being allowed to race again, CROWN WITNESS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. LU YUE (Apprentice T H So) blundered badly at the start, resulting in its rider becoming badly unbalanced in the saddle. In this incident, Apprentice So lost the use of his left stirrup iron for a short distance. CONNOISSEUR`S PICK was slow to begin. From a wide barrier, SUNNY MORE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Near the 1100 Metres, LONGWAH KID proved difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of EN MASSE. At the 1100 Metres, KYARA got its head up and proved very difficult to settle when being steadied away from the heels of ISTIDE which shifted in when barely clear. GO FAY FAY, which was following KYARA, was steadied in consequence. After the 900 Metres, LU YUE was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 300 Metres, CONNOISSEUR`S PICK was steadied away from the heels of REAL SUPREME (O Doleuze) which shifted to the outside of JUST FANTASTIC to obtain clear running. When CONNOISSEUR`S PICK was steadied away from the heels of REAL SUPREME, it shifted out, resulting in EN MASSE being taken out onto LU YUE. O Doleuze was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear of other runners prior to shifting ground. BLESSING was not able to obtain clear running until passing the 250 Metres. Throughout the race, PIZZAZZ travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of PIZZAZZ after the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being permitted to race again, PIZZAZZ will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the improved performance of REAL SUPREME, Trainer B K Ng stated that at its most recent start REAL SUPREME had proved difficult to settle in the middle stages and because of this was not able to finish off its race. He said in today`s race from a better barrier, REAL SUPREME was able to settle well and because of this was able to close off the race. REAL SUPREME and JUST FANTASTIC were sent for sampling.