19/12/2009  Shatin  Race 5

On arrival at the Start, TREMENDOUS ADD became fractious and dislodged J Winks. Both TREMENDOUS ADD and J Winks took no harm from this incident and took their place in the field. TREMENDOUS ADD was slow to begin. PRIVATE ROAD shifted out at the start, resulting in TURF WINNER being crowded onto the hindquarters of NOBLE DE BEST, causing both those horses to become unbalanced. Shortly after the start, GREAT SUPREME blundered. UNITED jumped out at the start and made heavy contact with ROYAL WARRIOR which in turn shifted out and bumped QUANTUM EXPRESS. Near the 1200 Metres, NOBLE DE BEST was steadied away from the heels of TURF WINNER which shifted out slightly. Approaching the 1000 Metres, NOBLE DE BEST was checked away from the heels of TURF WINNER which itself was steadied to avoid the heels of ALWAYS AHEAD (J Victoire) which shifted in when barely clear. J Victoire was reprimanded. Approaching the first turn, LUCKY AMORE, which was proving difficult to settle, was shifted out away from the heels of QUANTUM EXPRESS, resulting in WINNING SCHOLAR being bumped and taken wider. After this, WINNING SCHOLAR travelled wide and without cover. TREMENDOUS ADD was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 300 Metres was checked when disappointed for running between ALWAYS AHEAD and WINNING SCHOLAR, both of which were giving ground. TREMENDOUS ADD was then badly held up for clear running until the concluding stages and because of this was not tested as it normally would be. PRIVATE ROAD was held up for clear running until approaching the 200 Metres. Near the 100 Metres, PRIVATE ROAD was steadied and shifted to the outside of QUANTUM EXPRESS which shifted in. Over the concluding stages, MOONGLOW was bumped and taken wider by SOLDIER (C W Wong) which shifted out under pressure. C W Wong was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes every effort to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. When questioned regarding the improved performance of MOONGLOW, Trainer K L Man stated that at its most recent start the horse, after initially being held up for a run in the early part of the Straight, was steadied near the 250 Metres when attempting to obtain clear running. He said irrespective of this, he did not expect MOONGLOW to win today’s race, however, he was hopeful the horse would run well. He said that in its recent starts he had gradually increased the distance of MOONGLOW’s races, however, as the horse had disappointed him somewhat in its most recent start, he brought MOONGLOW back to the 1400 Metres of today’s race. Mr Man was advised now that MOONGLOW has established form, it would be expected to race consistently where possible. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of UNITED, B Prebble stated that although UNITED raced three wide in the early and middle stages, the horse had cover and travelled well. He said UNITED continued to travel strongly until about the 500 Metres at which time he became concerned as the horse came off the bit. He said after UNITED hung out rounding the Home Turn, he placed it under strong pressure in the early part of the Straight, however, the horse did not respond to his riding and was most disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race. Trainer A Schutz stated that he was most disappointed with the performance of UNITED as the horse worked strongly and had pleased him in the lead up to today’s race. He said although the horse was found to have some blood in its trachea in early November, he had scoped the horse following its two most recent gallops and it had scoped clean on both occasions. A veterinary inspection of UNITED after the race did not show any significant findings. Mr Schutz was advised that the performance of UNITED today was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, UNITED will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of GREAT SUPREME after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, GREAT SUPREME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. UNITED, MOONGLOW and SOLDIER were sent for sampling.