26/09/2009  Shatin  Race 8

BEJEWELED was withdrawn on 25.9.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter THE WITCH’S BROOM (M W Leung). Before being allowed to race again, BEJEWELED will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DARPANA reared in the gates and got its left front leg caught momentarily on the platform inside the barrier. DARPANA was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that the horse was suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, DARPANA will have to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. TYCOON TAYLOR began awkwardly and lost ground. Near the 300 Metres, APPRECIATION (B Prebble) was steadied away from the heels of TYCOON TAYLOR which shifted in slightly. APPRECIATION then had some difficulty in obtaining clear running when behind TYCOON TAYLOR and SUPER CHARGE which shifted out. Then, inside the 100 Metres, APPRECIATION was steadied away from the heels of TYCOON TAYLOR. B Prebble stated that as a result of these incidents, he was unable to ride APPRECIATION out as he normally would. Throughout the race, TYCOON TAYLOR travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of AMBITIOUS OWNER, J Lloyd stated that he had been instructed to either lead or obtain a position behind the leaders due to the horse jumping from barrier 1. He said AMBITIOUS OWNER, which had been standing in the barriers for some time, was slow to leave the gates and then in the early stages did not muster speed. He said he then rode along in the early stages in an endeavour to make up lost ground, however, AMBITIOUS OWNER was obliged to race towards the rear. He said at the entrance to the Straight he shifted to the outside of SUNSHINE BOY to improve his position and had hoped to follow APPRECIATION through albeit that that horse was some way in advance of AMBITIOUS OWNER. He said AMBITIOUS OWNER was commencing to make ground, however, near the 50 Metres he was obliged to steady the horse when SUNSHINE BOY shifted out abruptly on his inside. A veterinary inspection of MALAYAN BRIGHT, which gave ground in the Straight, revealed the horse to be making an abnormal breathing noise. The Veterinary Officer said MALAYAN BRIGHT had previously been reported to be a “roarer”. A veterinary inspection of APPRECIATION and AMBITIOUS OWNER after the race did not show any significant findings. APPRECIATION, EL MORRO and AMNESTY were sent for sampling.