26/04/2009  Shatin  Race 2

HEALTHY CONTENDER was slow to begin. ALL PROFIT began awkwardly and lost ground. On jumping, SMART CODE bumped the outside gate of its stall and as a consequence lost ground, then in the middle stages hung out. After the 800 Metres, LIONS' FORTUNE was steadied when crowded for room inside AASHIQ which when proving difficult to settle after initially shifting out was shifted back in. On straightening, AASHIQ was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of GREAT SHOW which was giving ground. When questioned, D Whyte (AASHIQ) said on his recommendation he was asked to ride AASHIQ quietly in an attempt to have the horse close the race off. He said in its two prior starts AASHIQ when travelling in a forward position had proved difficult to settle and despite not being beaten by a big margin had been somewhat disappointing in the manner in which it closed its race off. He said when he rode AASHIQ in a gallop on the riverside gallop last Monday, the horse relaxed well following another horse, then quickened nicely when shifted into the clear. He said because of the manner in which AASHIQ worked on this occasion, he recommended to the connections of the horse that it may be suited ridden more quietly. He said on jumping he took hold of AASHIQ and the horse again proved very difficult to settle in the early and middle stages when being ridden quietly. He said because of the manner in which AASHIQ was racing, it shifted out away from the heels of PACKING FRIEND making the turn at the 800 Metres and then travelled without cover. He said AASHIQ again disappointed in the manner in which it closed the race off today due to the horse not relaxing in the run. Mr P O'Sullivan, trainer of AASHIQ, confirmed the intention to have the horse ridden quietly. He confirmed that when ridden in this manner on the riverside gallop last Monday, the horse had shown a nice turn of foot. He said it will be his intention to continue to try and have AASHIQ settle in its races in the immediate future. AASHIQ was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. GREAT SHOW and EXPEDITIOUS were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of AASHIQ, GREAT SHOW and EXPEDITIOUS after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of GREAT SHOW, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GREAT SHOW will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CASH MONEY and MY WAY were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that HELENE ELITE had lost its left front plate.