22/11/2009  Shatin  Race 10

DOUBLE LUCK was withdrawn on 19.11.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (substantial amount of blood in trachea on scoping after track work) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SUPERIOR UNIT. Before being allowed to race again, DOUBLE LUCK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. REGENCY WINNER, which was fractious in the stalls, will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test before being allowed to race again. REGENCY WINNER began awkwardly. BUTTERFIELD shifted out at the start, resulting in EL MORRO and LAMBRO being hampered. Near the 1000 Metres, LAMBRO proved difficult to settle and shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of REDRAGTOABULL. After this, LAMBRO travelled wide and without cover. Shortly after entering the Straight, AMIGO was disappointed for running between ST FEVRE and EL MORRO, both of which shifted ground. Near the 350 Metres, FIRM OFFER was steadied and shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHATER WAY. Near the 200 Metres, GEM OF CHIU TON was steadied away from the heels of FIRM OFFER which shifted out. Passing the 200 Metres, AMIGO was checked when disappointed for running between REDRAGTOABULL and EL MORRO. Also passing the 200 Metres, CHATER WAY was steadied away from the heels of REDRAGTOABULL when taken in slightly by SUNRISE. When questioned, K L Chui (ST FEVRE) stated that he had been instructed to lead on the horse today if possible. He said accordingly he rode his mount along in the early stages to take up a forward position as instructed. He said near the 1000 Metres he noticed SUPERIOR UNIT being ridden into a forward position and he felt that the rider of that horse would be content to allow SUPERIOR UNIT to race outside of ST FEVRE. He said however that SUPERIOR UNIT raced in advance of ST FEVRE and because of this the pace of the race in the early stages was strong. He said he was reluctant to restrain ST FEVRE as at all relevant times he was of the belief that SUPERIOR UNIT would steady rather than remain racing in advance of ST FEVRE. When questioned, Z Purton said he had been instructed to lead on SUPERIOR UNIT if the tempo of the race was not strong, however, if another horse was intent on leading, he should race outside of that runner if circumstances permitted. He said he allowed SUPERIOR UNIT to stride forward in the early stages and near the 1100 Metres looked to his inside and ascertained that EL MORRO was being steadied to allow him to shift in. He said however that he was aware that ST FEVRE was holding the fence in the lead, therefore he elected to race to that horse’s outside. He said near the 1000 Metres he elected to take hold of SUPERIOR UNIT to steady the horse, however, his saddle shifted forward at that time, placing him at a disadvantage for the remainder of the event. He said due to the manner in which the saddle shifted forward, he was unable to restrain SUPERIOR UNIT and consequently the horse went much faster in the lead than it normally would. A veterinary inspection of EL MORRO after the race revealed a mild amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. A veterinary inspection of AMIGO after the race did not show any significant findings. AMIGO, FOREVER ELATION and CHATER WAY were sent for sampling.