25/10/2009  Shatin  Race 9

DANESIS began awkwardly. Rounding the Home Turn, UNIQUE JEWELLERY was bumped by NATURAL NINE which shifted out. Shortly after entering the Straight, NATURAL NINE was steadied when disappointed for running between BULLISH CASH and BEST FRIEND which shifted out. When questioned, D Whyte (BEST FRIEND) stated that inside the 200 Meters he was making his run between NATURAL NINE and BULLISH CASH. He said after this BULLISH CASH shifted in as UNIQUE JEWELLERY was improving to that horse’s outside. He said due to BEST FRIEND’s racing room being crowded at that time, he was not able to fully test his mount until BULLISH CASH was able to shift out away from the heels of UNIQUE JEWELLERY. He said even when this happened, BEST FRIEND continued to race in restricted room and for this reason he was not able to ride the horse out fully over the concluding stages. When questioned regarding the improved performance of UNIQUE JEWELLERY, Trainer J Size stated that the horse had been well suited by the step up in distance from the 1400 Metres to the 1800 Metres, the distance over which the horse experienced its last win. He said in its races this season over the 1400 Metres and the 1600 Metres, the horse had not travelled as well as had been expected, but did appear to travel more kindly today. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of ROMA PEGASUS, Apprentice M Chadwick stated that his mount was able to take up a forward position without having to be pushed along. He said after travelling kindly in the run, he placed ROMA PEGASUS under pressure shortly after straightening, however, the horse failed to respond and was most disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground. Trainer A S Cruz was unable to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of the horse. He said the horse had worked well since its last run when it was caught wide on the track. He said prior to today’s race, ROMA PEGASUS had been more relaxed and had not become fractious as it had prior to its first up run this season. A veterinary inspection of ROMA PEGASUS after the race did not show any significant findings. In all the circumstances, the performance of ROMA PEGASUS was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ROMA PEGASUS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ROMA PEGASUS, UNIQUE JEWELLERY and BROM BROM were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that NATURAL NINE had bled from both nostrils.