13/04/2009  Shatin  Race 9

SOLAR ENERGY was slow into stride. DARPANA began awkwardly and lost ground. BEAUTY EXPRESS was slow to begin, then lost further ground as a result of being checked when crowded for room between WAIT FOR ME and MERRY WAY, both of which shifted ground. In the early stages, CLASSA was taken back. Approaching the turn at the 800 Metres, CHARMGOLD, which was hanging out, became unbalanced when being steadied away from the heels of LAMBRO which shifted in when barely clear. After this, CHARMGOLD continued to hang out in the middle stages. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, DARPANA got its head up and lost ground when being steadied away from the heels of RICE FIELD. From on straightening until near the 200 Metres, LAMBRO was held up and unable to improve. In the early part of the Straight, SOLAR ENERGY had difficulty obtaining clear running, then near the 100 Metres when improving towards the outside of FERRO BEAU was crowded for room by that horse which shifted wider. After the 100 Metres, CLASSA and RICE FIELD were hampered and carried wider by SOLAR ENERGY. Throughout the race, RICE FIELD travelled wide and without cover. The performance of DARPANA, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DARPANA will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, Trainer P O'Sullivan, the trainer of MERRY WAY, explained the horse was racing first up today from a let-up after jarring up during its last race on 18 January 2009. He said because of the leg problems MERRY WAY had been experiencing, he had not given the horse a large amount of track work leading into today's race. He said MERRY WAY had been very fresh in the pre-race parade and because of this it was decided that from a wide barrier MERRY WAY would be best suited if ridden in a position with cover. He said it was thought if MERRY WAY were to be ridden to go forward, the horse would over-race and fail to finish the race off. He said despite being ridden quietly in the early stages, MERRY WAY was not able to obtain cover, proved very difficult to settle in the run and consequently disappointed in the manner in which it closed the race off. Mr O'Sullivan indicated MERRY WAY might derive benefit from today's race. MERRY WAY was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of MERRY WAY after the race did not show any significant findings. FERRO BEAU, TERRIFIC BRETHREN and LAMBRO were sent for sampling.