25/10/2009  Shatin  Race 1

DAYLIGHT EXPRESS, which was slow to begin, was checked shortly after the start when GO STITCH shifted in abruptly after being bumped by TOP SPEED. For some distance in the early stages, GLITTERING got its head up on a number of occasions when proving difficult to settle and near the 1000 Metres continued to get its head up when being steadied away from the heels of SCOOT DA LOOT which shifted in. For some distance after passing the 1000 Metres, DAYLIGHT EXPRESS raced in restricted room inside KING POWER. Passing the 400 Metres, GO STITCH and TOP SPEED came together on a number of occasions as GO STITCH shifted to the outside of SHATIN TREASURE into clear running. When questioned, Apprentice M Chadwick (ZERO GRAVITY) stated that he had been instructed to obtain cover on the horse which was wearing blinkers for the first time today. He said as ZERO GRAVITY was a little slow to begin, he therefore attempted to obtain a position in midfield. He added in the early stages he was able to obtain cover behind SHATIN TREASURE albeit that he was three wide, however, passing the 800 Metres ZERO GRAVITY raced close to the heels of SHATIN TREASURE and because of this he was obliged to shift ZERO GRAVITY out away from the heels of that horse. He said after this ZERO GRAVITY travelled wide and without cover. Trainer A S Cruz confirmed that due to the blinkers being added to ZERO GRAVITY, he wished for the horse to obtain cover as he believed that had it gone forward as previously has been the case, the horse would prove difficult to settle and consequently would not be able to finish off its race. A veterinary inspection of ZERO GRAVITY after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, ZERO GRAVITY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TOP SPEED, MY MELODY and SCOOT DA LOOT were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that MUTUAL GAIN had lost its left front plate.