21/06/2009  Shatin  Race 7

STEP TO WIN was withdrawn on 20.6.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter WEI HAI INVINCIBLE (W Pike). Before being allowed to race again, STEP TO WIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When the gates opened, WEI HAI INVINCIBLE blundered badly and as a consequence lost ground. FLYING IN was slow into stride. From wide barriers, in the early stages, SUPER SPIRIT and BEAR MACHO were taken back. Near the 600 Metres, Apprentice T H So (HONGKONG SUPERSTAR) dropped his whip. At the 600 Metres, CANNONISE was carried wider by DYNAMIC BLITZ which shifted out from behind WARRIOR. Prior to straightening, BEAR MACHO was steadied and shifted out to obtain clear running. Shortly after straightening, ROYAL PERICLES was steadied and shifted to the outside of CANNONISE to go forward, then at the 200 Metres was again steadied away from the heels of CANNONISE which had its head on the side and shifted out while hanging. Throughout the race, HONG KONG SUPERSTAR hung out and travelled wide and without cover. K T Yeung (SEA TREASURE) was severely reprimanded for failing to ride his mount out over the final 200 Metres of the race. When questioned regarding the performance of WARRIOR, M Du Plessis said he went forward on his mount in the early stages as instructed. He said while he had to make some use of his mount in the first 200 Metres to obtain the lead, he then endeavoured to steady his mount. He said WARRIOR travelled comfortably for a short distance, however, making the turn out of the Back Straight he felt the horse was not travelling as it should. He said WARRIOR maintained its position in the lead to the inside of TCHAIKOVSKY entering the Home Straight. He said shortly afterwards he placed WARRIOR under pressure, however, the horse did not respond to his riding and commenced to give ground. He said near the 200 Metres he used the whip on WARRIOR to ensure the horse was giving its best and when there was no response, he over the final 100 Metres eased his mount down as he felt something might have been amiss with it. WARRIOR was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, WARRIOR was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said there were no significant findings. In the circumstances, the performance of WARRIOR was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, WARRIOR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WEI HAI INVINCIBLE and SEA TREASURE were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of WEI HAI INVINCIBLE and SEA TREASURE after the race did not show any significant findings. DYNAMIC BLITZ and BEAR MACHO were sent for sampling.