26/04/2009  Shatin  Race 3

LASKER was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, LASKER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. M Du Plessis (GIVE WELL) was fined $2,000 for negligently presenting himself in the Parade Ring wearing the incorrect colour cap. BAAZIGAR was slow to begin. On jumping, SOMETHING SPECIAL was crowded for room between EYE WITNESS and GIVE WELL which shifted out. After the 1000 Metres, SOMETHING SPECIAL, which was proving difficult to settle, was steadied away from the heels of EYE WITNESS. Passing the 700 Metres, SOMETHING SPECIAL raced ungenerously when in restricted room to the inside of PALAIS D'OR. After the 250 Metres, the whip of F Coetzee (EYE WITNESS) became entangled in his reins. As a result, F Coetzee was disadvantaged in riding his mount out until near the 100 Metres when he was able to free the whip. Throughout the race, GIVE WELL travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, D Beadman (PALAIS D'OR) said the intention had been to ride the horse positively from the outside barrier in the early stages and obtain a favourable position in the run. He said after riding PALAIS D’OR along to go forward in the early stages, the horse was left racing wide and without cover and he therefore after the 1500 Metres commenced to steady his mount to take it back to a position with cover. He said as a consequence PALAIS D'OR raced near the rear. He said approaching the 800 Metres as MONTE CRISTO commenced to improve its position around his outside, he did consider shifting out to go forward, however, he felt having made some use of PALAIS D'OR in the early stages of the race and being mindful of the horse carrying 133 lbs, he decided against doing so. He said in his opinion to have shifted out and gone forward at this time would have required him to make too much use of PALAIS D'OR. He said in the Home Straight PALAIS D'OR closed the race off only fairly. PALAIS D'OR, BAAZIGAR and ROCKET FORCE were sent for sampling.