04/03/2009  Shatin  Race 4

SPRING SMILES and NIGHT HUNTER III were slow to begin. On jumping, JOY TRUMPS, STORM'S DESTINY and HAPPY HEROES were taken back from wide barriers. In the early stages, GLOBAL WAY travelled wide and without cover. Near the 1400 Metres, TALE OF FRIENDSHIP, which was being steadied away from the heels of REDHILL COMMANDER, became unbalanced, shifted out and bumped LIGHTNING MOUNT. After entering the Back Straight, DOUBLE FANTASY proved difficult to settle and at the 1100 Metres became unbalanced in its action. After the 1000 Metres, LIGHTNING MOUNT was steadied away from the heels of FORTUNE GALLOP. After the 800 Metres, NIGHT HUNTER III was left racing wide and without cover. On straightening, TALE OF FRIENDSHIP, which had been endeavouring to shift out, was steadied and shifted in away from the heels of FORTUNE GALLOP which commenced to give ground. For a considerable distance after straightening, HAPPY HEROES had difficulty obtaining clear running. From the 250 Metres until the 150 Metres, TALE OF FRIENDSHIP was steadied when not able to obtain clear running. At the 150 Metres, LAZY BUDDIES was hampered and carried wider by LIGHTNING MOUNT which after initially being taken out by NIGHT HUNTER III then shifted further away from that horse. SPRING SMILES, which was racing to the outside of LADY BUDDIES, was steadied away from the heels of that horse. After the 200 Metres, COULDN'T CARE LESS, which was closing the race off, was steadied away from the heels of DOUBLE FANTASY which was giving ground. Just prior to the winning post, NIGHT HUNTER III was steadied when crowded for room between STORM'S DESTINY which shifted out away from BAUHINIA and LIGHTNING MOUNT which shifted in after being bumped by LAZY BUDDIES which shifted ground while hanging. No action was taken. When questioned, Mr S Woods, trainer of BAUHINIA, said what appeared on paper to be an improved performance of the horse was due to it being able to muster speed from a favourable barrier tonight on the all weather surface. He said BAUHINIA does not possess natural speed and on occasions has failed to muster. He added in his opinion tonight's race was not strong. When questioned regarding the poor performance of GLOBAL WAY, H W Lai said his mount stumbled on jumping. He said he then rode GLOBAL WAY along for a considerable distance to race with the lead as instructed. He said because of the use he was required to make of GLOBAL WAY in the early stages to follow his riding instructions, his mount was not able to finish the race off. GLOBAL WAY was sent for an official veterinary inspection. SPRING SMILES was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of GLOBAL WAY and SPRING SMILES after the race did not show any significant findings. REDHILL COMMANDER was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, REDHILL COMMANDER, which finished tailed out, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse was noted to be making an abnormal breathing noise. He added REDHILL COMMANDER had previously been reported to be a "roarer". The performance of REDHILL COMMANDER was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, REDHILL COMMANDER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BAUHINIA and LAZY BUDDIES were sent for sampling.