03/05/2009  Shatin  Race 7

UNITED EFFORTS began awkwardly and lost ground. In the early stages, SUPERIOR UNIT from the outside barrier was taken back in an endeavour to obtain a position with cover and then in the middle stages hung out. Also in the early stages, UNITED EFFORTS proved very difficult to settle and making the turn at the 700 Metres was steadied away from the heels of NORMAN INVADER. Making the turn at the 700 Metres, ALWAYS GIGGLE lost ground when crowded for room inside HOLI RAVIOLI which shifted in away from the heels of ROYAL PERICLES. At the 500 Metres, UNITED EFFORTS was bumped by HE CAN TANGO which shifted out when being steadied away from the heels of ALWAYS GIGGLE. At the 100 Metres, UNITED EFFORTS got its head on the side and commenced to hang in, obliging J Lloyd, its rider, to stop riding and straighten his mount. When questioned regarding the poor performance of ALWAYS GIGGLE, B Prebble said his mount travelled satisfactorily in the early stages, however, after being crowded for room near the 700 Metres appeared reluctant to race inside horses. He said after this crowding he rode ALWAYS GIGGLE along in an endeavour to put the horse back on the bit. He said ALWAYS GIGGLE after straightening did not respond when placed under pressure. He said the manner in which ALWAYS GIGGLE raced today indicated to him that the horse may have lost confidence racing inside other runners. When questioned regarding the poor performance of BLAZE KING, K T Yeung said his mount over-raced in the early and middle stages and because it did not relax failed to finish the race off. ALWAYS GIGGLE and BLAZE KING were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of ALWAYS GIGGLE and BLAZE KING after the race did not show any significant findings. HOLI RAVIOLI and ROYAL PERICLES were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that HOLI RAVIOLI had sustained a cut to the right hind tendon area as a result of being galloped on, UNITED EFFORTS had bled from both nostrils and FORTUNE RED PEPPER had lost its right front plate. Before being allowed to race again, HOLI RAVIOLI will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. <4/5/2009 Additional Veterinary Reports > ALWAYS GIGGLE, which performed poorly, was examined by the Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison. He said at that time there were no significant findings. ALWAYS GIGGLE was again examined by the Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison at the stables of Trainer A Lee this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, ALWAYS GIGGLE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.