18/05/2013  Shatin  Race 9

LUCKY DAN proved difficult to load. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY DAN will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. After being loaded, both HYPERSONIC and GOOD GOOD VIEW became fractious. Before being allowed to race again, HYPERSONIC and GOOD GOOD VIEW will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. WINNING INSTINCT, which was leaning on the outside of its stall, began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, PLENTIFUL and SUDDEN THUNDER were crowded for room between PRINCIPAL and CARE FREE PEGASUS. After this, PLENTIFUL and SUDDEN THUNDER were taken across behind runners. After the 1200 Metres, LUCKY DAN proved difficult to settle. Passing the 900 Metres, SANTA FE SUN proved very difficult to settle and got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of HYPERSONIC. LUCKY DAN made the Home Turn awkwardly. After the 400 Metres, LUCKY DAN, which was giving ground, was momentarily crowded for room between PRINCIPAL and HO IN ONE, both of which shifted ground. SANTA FE SUN was unable to obtain clear running until after the 300 Metres. SUDDEN THUNDER got its head on the side and hung in under pressure in the Straight and near the 50 Metres, its rider, T Berry, had to stop riding and straighten the horse when it shifted in towards PRINCIPAL. When brushed by SUDDEN THUNDER, PRINCIPAL shifted in and bumped KING’S PACT which was awkwardly placed outside the heels of HO IN ONE. Over the concluding stages, WINNING INSTINCT (Apprentice C Y Lui) shifted out abruptly, resulting in PLENTIFUL being hampered and having to be shifted away from its heels. Apprentice Lui was severely reprimanded for failing to stop riding with the whip and straightening his mount. Throughout the race, PRINCIPAL travelled wide and without cover. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered if CARRY THE ZEAL had been afforded a fair start. Evidence was taken from Jockey G Mossé, Trainer D J Hall and Starter, Mr T McGovern. After viewing the videos, it was ascertained that as the start was effected, CARRY THE ZEAL still had a blindfold applied to it and was being assisted by a barrier attendant who had a hold of the horse’s bridle. As a consequence of the delayed removal of the blindfold, CARRY THE ZEAL lost a significant amount of ground. As the Stewards formed the opinion that CARRY THE ZEAL had not been afforded a fair start, the horse was deemed to be a non-runner. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of FLYING IBIS, W M Lai stated that the horse was reluctant to maintain its position when racing in restricted room inside HYPERSONIC which lay in approaching the 800 Metres. He said after this FLYING IBIS did not travel well and was disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding in the Straight. He added after the race FLYING IBIS made an abnormal respiratory noise. A veterinary inspection of FLYING IBIS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. After the race, D Whyte reported that HYPERSONIC was badly held up for clear running in the early stages of the Straight behind STRATHTAY. He said after obtaining clear running after the 300 Metres, HYPERSONIC initially gave him a good response when ridden along, however, after the 150 Metres again raced in restricted room inside STRATHTAY. He said, in the circumstances, he considered HYPERSONIC’s performance was better than it appeared. A veterinary inspection of HYPERSONIC immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SANTA FE SUN had lost its left front plate. WINNING INSTINCT and HO IN ONE were sent for sampling.