28/06/2009  Shatin  Race 9

SMART CHOICE began awkwardly and lost ground. TAIJI SPIRIT was slow into stride, then shortly after the start when being ridden along to make up ground was steadied away from the heels of CENTURY SUPER STAR (M Du Plessis) which shifted in when not properly clear. M Du Plessis was told to exercise greater care. Near the 1000 Metres, GLENEALY ELITE was steadied away from the heels of BROTHERS IN ARMS which shifted in when barely clear. Prior to straightening, SMART CHOICE was carried wider by CENTURY SUPER STAR. At the 300 Metres, WELL NOTED was bumped by KARBRIDGE which shifted in. At the 150 Metres, GLENEALY ELITE was steadied away from the heels of CENTURY SUPER STAR. For the major part of the race, MUTUAL FRIENDSHIP travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the poor performance of GLENEALY ELITE, B Prebble said on today’s sealed All Weather Track, GLENEALY ELITE was reluctant to stride out. He said the action of GLENEALY ELITE indicated to him that the horse was jarring up. He said recently when racing on turf GLENEALY ELITE has performed best when there has been some give in the ground. GLENEALY ELITE was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of GLENEALY ELITE after the race did not show any significant findings. WELL NOTED was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, WELL NOTED 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, WELL NOTED will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BROTHERS IN ARMS and SMART CHOICE were sent for sampling.