09/05/2009  Shatin  Race 1

PRIMIATA, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 8.5.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, PRIMIATA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. COVER BOY was slow to begin. DANEPRINT began awkwardly, got its head up and lost ground. Near the 1400 Metres, HEALTHY CONTENDER was steadied away from the heels of SPEED OF LIGHT (S K Sit) which shifted in when not properly clear. S K Sit was reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. When HEALTHY CONTENDER was steadied, it shifted out and bumped RAINBOW STAR which was proving difficult to settle. As a consequence, RAINBOW STAR got its head up and was steadied away from the heels of LADY FIRST. At the 1000 Metres, ENERGETIC BOY became badly unbalanced behind after being bumped on the hindquarters by RAINBOW STAR which got its head up and shifted out abruptly when being steadied away from the heels of LADY FIRST which itself was steadied when momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of DECAGONAL which shifted in slightly. No action was taken. Also at the 1000 Metres, COVER BOY became badly unbalanced when being checked away from the heels of ALL PROFIT. On straightening, BRAVO HORSE was bumped by FRAMES DEPOT which shifted out to obtain clear running. At the 350 Metres, SPEED OF LIGHT shifted out and was steadied away from the heels of FRAMES DEPOT. For the major part of the race, SHINING DRAGON hung out. Throughout the race, RISING WIN travelled in a forward position and was wide and without cover, then in the Straight gave ground. When questioned, Mr A Lee, trainer of DECAGONAL, said he had instructed W C Marwing to endeavour to obtain a position in front of midfield if his mount began satisfactorily. He said if the horse did not begin well, he should then ride it in a rearward position. He explained at its most recent race start on 15 March 2009 when ridden by B Prebble over the same course and distance and from the same barrier, he had not issued the rider with any firm instructions. He said DECAGONAL is well known to B Prebble and therefore he believed he was familiar with how the horse is best ridden. He said on that occasion DECAGONAL travelled in a rearward position after being taken back at the start. He did say DECAGONAL had raced well on that occasion and was only beaten by a neck. Mr Lee advised the Stewards he had endeavoured to engage B Prebble to again ride DECAGONAL in today’s race, however, B Prebble informed him he had accepted a prior engagement. BRAVO HORSE and RISING WIN were sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, BRAVO HORSE was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, BRAVO HORSE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of RISING WIN after the race did not show any significant findings. ENERGETIC BOY, GOOD TIME CHARLIE and DECAGONAL were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that ALL PROFIT had lost its left hind plate.