13/04/2009  Shatin  Race 7

MALAYAN BRIGHT began awkwardly. On jumping, FORTUNE SPIRIT was taken back. Shortly after the start, DASHING THUNDER was steadied when crowded for room between AMITYSHIP and CRYSTAL. Near the 1200 Metres, FLY ME TO THE MOON, which was racing wide and without cover, was steadied and taken back to a position with cover, then at the 800 Metres was again left racing wide and without cover. At the 1000 Metres, SUPER CHARGE, which had failed to muster speed in the early stages, was steadied away from the heels of AMAZING FLYER. After this, SUPER CHARGE proved difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when close to the heels of AMAZING FLYER. At the 400 Metres, WIN A DOZEN was steadied and shifted out when having difficulty obtaining clear running. At the 200 Metres, EASY WIN, which was giving ground, was steadied when crowded for room between FIRST BABY which when improving towards the outside of AMAZING FLYER was carried wider by that horse and FLY ME TO THE MOON which got its head on the side and shifted in. No action was taken. After the 200 Metres, FIRST BABY was steadied when disappointed for running between FLY ME TO THE MOON and AMAZING FLYER. At the 100 Metres, AMITYSHIP was checked when crowded for room between RED RULER which shifted in slightly and LUFENG FORTUNE which became unbalanced and shifted out after being bumped by EASY WIN which got its head on the side and shifted out away from FIRST BABY as that horse improved into running towards the outside of FLY ME TO THE MOON. In this incident, LUFENG FORTUNE and EASY WIN became badly unbalanced and lost ground. Whilst the incident was one of some significance, in the circumstances the Stewards did not believe it appropriate to hold any rider responsible and therefore no action was taken. For the major part of the race, EASY WIN travelled wide and without cover. B Prebble (WIN A DOZEN) explained as the horse had been disappointing in the manner in which it had finished its races off over the concluding stages, it was intended to ride the horse in a position with cover in the box seat. He said he ended up racing slightly further back than anticipated as a consequence of MALAYAN BRIGHT allowing CRYSTAL to cross into the lead. He said WIN A DOZEN again disappointed him in the manner in which it closed the race off and in his opinion the horse is better suited racing over a distance of less than the 1400 Metres of today's race. AMAZING FLYER was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. After the race, AMAZING FLYER was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse was lame in its left front leg and an endoscopic examination confirmed it to be a "roarer". Before being allowed to race again, AMAZING FLYER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Z Purton (SUPER CHARGE) explained in the early stages of the race his mount over-raced. He said prior to straightening he commenced to ride SUPER CHARGE along in an endeavour to follow AMAZING FLYER forward. He said SUPER CHARGE did not respond to his riding in the manner he hoped. He said after the 300 Metres he raced tight outside FIRST BABY which was shifting out. He said as FIRST BABY continued to shift out, SUPER CHARGE then became held up on the heels of EASY WIN which was giving ground. He said after this he rode SUPER CHARGE along for a short distance, however, when it failed to respond, he did not persevere in riding his mount out. Mr A Lee, the trainer of SUPER CHARGE, was not able to offer any explanation for the performance of the horse. He said in his opinion SUPER CHARGE did not appreciate racing in restricted room in the early part of the Straight and afterwards was reluctant to stretch out. Mr Lee was told the performance of SUPER CHARGE in the opinion of the Stewards was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUPER CHARGE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUPER CHARGE and EASY WIN were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of SUPER CHARGE and EASY WIN after the race did not show any significant findings. JOHNSON and DASHING THUNDER were sent for sampling.