29/01/2012  Shatin  Race 8

LET ME HANDLE IT proved difficult to load. Before being allowed to race again, LET ME HANDLE IT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. CALIFORNIA MEMORY was crowded for room at the start between FLYING BLUE and HANDSOME ZULU which shifted out. After this, HANDSOME ZULU was ridden along but failed to muster speed. From a wide barrier, THUMBS UP was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, AMBITIOUS DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of MIGHTY HIGH which shifted out. After the 1400 Metres, AMBITIOUS DRAGON was steadied when crowded for room inside MIGHTY HIGH (N Callan) which shifted in. N Callan was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. After being crossed by SICHUAN SUCCESS after the 1400 Metres, FLYING BLUE proved difficult to settle and for some distance got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SICHUAN SUCCESS. After being caught wide and without cover in the early stages, XTENSION was allowed to improve to race outside the leader, SIGHT WINNER approaching the 1200 Metres. At the 600 Metres, SIGHT WINNER proved difficult to settle, got its head up and hung out, resulting in XTENSION and MIGHTY HIGH being inconvenienced. FLYING BLUE was held up for clear running behind ABLE ONE and MIGHTY HIGH until near the 250 Metres. Throughout the race, MIGHTY HIGH and IRIAN travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, D Beadman stated that he had been instructed to obtain a forward position on ABLE ONE. He said as the horse had raced well of late when ridden with cover, he was intent to allow ABLE ONE to sit off SICHUAN SUCCESS and SIGHT WINNER in the early stages. He said when SIGHT WINNER shifted to the fence prior to the 1200 Metres, ABLE ONE was briefly left racing without cover, however, was able to obtain cover behind XTENSION when that horse improved its position shortly after this. He said following this ABLE ONE travelled strongly, however, came under pressure at the top of the Straight and was disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding in the Straight. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on DESTINED FOR GLORY at the request of Trainer J Moore. The Veterinary Surgeon said this 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. A veterinary inspection of ABLE ONE after the race did not show any significant findings. AMBITIOUS DRAGON and XTENSION were sent for sampling.