01/03/2009  Shatin  Race 11

SUPERIOR UNIT was withdrawn on 28.2.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (mucopus) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter YUMMY SPIRITS (W C Marwing). Before being allowed to race again, SUPERIOR UNIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MR MEDICI was slow to begin. On jumping, PRESTO was taken back. HURRICANE DASH began awkwardly and stumbled. YUMMY SPIRITS was slow into stride, then shortly afterwards was steadied when awkwardly placed between SOLAR MIGHTY and LUCKYME. In the early stages, whilst being ridden along to go forward, LUCKYME hung in and as a consequence did not muster speed. At the 1200 Metres, FLEET COMMAND, LUCKYME and GREAT GUY were momentarily tightened for room inside BEAUTIFUL DREAMER. Near the 1000 Metres, HURRICANE DASH shifted out abruptly when being checked away from the heels of HAPPY ZERO which was steadied. After this, HURRICANE DASH travelled wide and without cover. D Whyte (PRESTO) reported on straightening he commenced to shift out in an endeavour to obtain clear running, however, he was not able to do so as HE CAN TANGO was travelling on his outside. He said because of this for some distance after the 400 Metres when having difficulty obtaining clear running he steadied PRESTO while shifting his mount in to obtain clear running. He said once in clear running after the 300 Metres PRESTO responded to his riding and closed the race off strongly. Apprentice M Chadwick (O’REILLY RALLY) explained he had been instructed to go forward on his mount and obtain the lead if able to do so without making use of it; if not, to take a sit. He said O’REILLY RALLY did not show the gate speed it had on other occasions and he therefore in the early stages elected to take a sit on the horse. HAPPY ZERO and MR MEDICI were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SUPER TRAVELLER had blood present at its right nostril. He said an endoscopic examination showed the horse’s trachea to be clean and as such was not deemed to have bled.