15/07/2012  Shatin  Race 9

FLEET COMMAND was withdrawn on 14.7.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter DR SUPER (C K Tong). ELEGANCE DESIRE was also withdrawn on 14.7.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore). Before being allowed to race again, FLEET COMMAND and ELEGANCE DESIRE will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MR BOND was slow to begin. Near the 900 Metres, CHEERS JOY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ADORATION which was being steadied in an attempt to obtain cover. However, ADORATION was not able to obtain cover and consequently raced wide and without cover throughout. Rounding the Home Turn, AMIGO was checked away from the heels of CHEERS JOY. KEEN WONGCHOY, which was following, shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence, resulting in SUNRISE being taken wider. At the entrance to the Straight, AMIGO was bumped by MAJESTIC FALCON which shifted out to obtain clear running. Over the final 200 Metres, KEEN WONGCHOY got its head on the side and lay in. Throughout the race, ALL ROUND travelled wide and without cover. The performance of CHEERS JOY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CHEERS JOY 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 regarding the disappointing performance of JUN GONG, Z Purton said that after being slow to begin, he was able to obtain a position behind the speed without having to make use of the horse. He said however that JUN GONG, in his opinion, did not appreciate today’s track surface as the horse appeared to be reluctant to stretch out at any stage during the race. A veterinary inspection of DR SUPER and JUN GONG after the race did not show any significant findings. JUN GONG, SILVER GRECIAN and MAJESTIC FALCON were sent for sampling.