10/03/2012  Shatin  Race 10

FOREVER ELATION was withdrawn on 8.3.12 by order of the Stewards (family bereavement) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SUPREME GENKI. Whilst in the saddling stalls, TREND MASTER had its right hind plate refitted. TREND MASTER was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. YOU KNOW I WIN was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, HAPPY HA HA was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, EIGHT PLUS NINE failed to muster speed. Passing the 1200 Metres, TREND MASTER raced tight between G-ONE WINNING and BERNARD’S CHOICE. For some distance approaching and passing the 1000 Metres, TREND MASTER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of G-ONE WINNING which was racing close to the heels of PHAEDO. Near the 800 Metres, BERNARD’S CHOICE was checked away from the heels of AEROSA when that horse was steadied to allow PHAEDO to cross. For some distance after this, BERNARD’S CHOICE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of AEROSA. Approaching the 200 Metres, HAPPY HA HA was crowded for room between ABSOLUTE FANTASY and TREND MASTER which got its head on the side and shifted out. Passing the 200 Metres, YOU KNOW I WIN was shifted in away from the heels of TREND MASTER. Passing the 50 Metres, HAPPY HA HA was steadied when crowded for room between TREND MASTER and TRAVEL GUIDE (Apprentice K C Ng) which shifted in when being ridden out. Apprentice Ng was severely reprimanded and advised that he should have stopped riding and straightened his mount sooner than he did on this occasion. Throughout the race, SUPREME GENKI travelled wide and without cover. After the race, J Lloyd (SUPREME GENKI) reported that his mount coughed on a number of occasions on pulling up after the race. A veterinary inspection of SUPREME GENKI after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. The performance of SUPREME GENKI, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUPREME GENKI will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, Apprentice K C Ng stated that he was asked to ride TRAVEL GUIDE, which was resuming after a let-up today, in a position with cover and it was felt that this would be behind midfield. He said although TRAVEL GUIDE began well, he did not ride the horse along in the early stages and shifted TRAVEL GUIDE across behind runners to his inside which were being ridden along to obtain forward positions. Trainer C H Yip confirmed that he had asked Apprentice Ng to ride TRAVEL GUIDE more quietly than is usual as he was of the view that use would have had to be made of TRAVEL GUIDE to cross runners to its inside to race in a forward position. He said he felt that if use had to be made of TRAVEL GUIDE, the horse, which was resuming today, would not have been able to finish off the race, therefore he felt it was in the horse’s best interests for it to be ridden quietly in the early stages so that it would be able to finish off. When questioned, B Prebble stated that at the entrance to the Straight he shifted SUMMER DASH to the outside of runners and placed the horse under pressure. He said he rode SUMMER DASH along for some distance, however, the horse did not respond to his riding and its stride shortened noticeably approaching the 200 Metres. He said for this reason he eased the horse down over the final 200 Metres. He did say that after the race SUMMER DASH made a significant respiratory noise. A veterinary inspection of SUMMER DASH after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, SUMMER DASH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. G-ONE WINNING and HOLY MAC were sent for sampling.