07/03/2009  Shatin  Race 10

YUMMY SPIRITS was withdrawn on 6.3.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore left fore tendon) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter GREAT LAND'S STAR (P H Lo). Before being allowed to race again, YUMMY SPIRITS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Apprentice M L Yeung (YOUNG HERO) was severely reprimanded for failing to declare he would be a probable 2 lb overweight at the time of declarations. As Apprentice K C Leung, the declared rider of UNWRITTEN RULE, was overweight, the Stewards gave permission for Apprentice T H So to be substituted. Apprentice Leung was fined $5,000 for accepting this ride when overweight [Rule 88(5)]. On jumping, BLUE SKY was taken back. PRIME CHAMPION was slow into stride. As the gates opened, MR MEDICI lifted its front feet off the ground and as a consequence was slow into stride. Shortly after the start, COLLECTION turned its head to the right and attempted to savage SPECIAL DRAGON. Mr J Moore, the trainer of COLLECTION, was told a warning would be placed on the horse. At the 700 Metres, BOOK OF KELLS was steadied when crowded for room between MR MEDICI and PLAN EX. After the 600 Metres, SPECIAL DAYS, which was proving difficult to settle, was steadied away from the heels of GREAT LAND'S STAR. From on straightening until after the 300 Metres, COLLECTION was held up. In the early part of the Straight, FEARLESS had difficulty obtaining clear running. At the 350 Metres, ARION OF CHIU TON was steadied when disappointed for running between UNWRITTEN RULE and SPECIAL DRAGON. At the 300 Metres, SPECIAL DAYS was crowded for room inside GREAT LAND'S STAR which shifted in when awkwardly placed inside the heels of YOUNG HERO. After this, SPECIAL DAYS had difficulty obtaining clear running for a considerable distance and at the 200 Metres was shifted to the outside of YOUNG HERO to go forward. Over the concluding stages, FEARLESS was inclined to hang in. In the Straight, PLAN EX hung in and proved difficult to ride. Throughout the race, YOUNG HERO travelled wide and without cover. SPECIAL DRAGON was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of SPECIAL DRAGON after the race did not show any significant findings. COLLECTION and MR MEDICI were sent for sampling.