01/01/2010  Shatin  Race 8

LEGEND EXPRESS, which was leaning against the outside of its stall, was slow to begin and then shortly after the start was checked when crowded for room between KING OF SCOTS and ENRICHED which jumped in abruptly. In this incident, LEGEND EXPRESS clipped the heels of ENRICHED and blundered. ROMA THUNDER bounded in the air at the start and shortly afterwards was taken across behind runners. As the start was effected, DREAM HORSE lifted its front feet off the ground and began awkwardly. DREAM HORSE then hung out in the middle stages. Throughout the race, CAT STORM travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of OPEN SESAME, B Prebble stated that the horse pulled hard during the race and proved very difficult to settle. He said he shifted OPEN SESAME out at the top of the Straight, however, the horse, despite being ridden along, was disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground. He stated that, in his opinion, due to OPEN SESAME racing fiercely throughout the early and middle stages, it was not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of OPEN SESAME after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of KING OF SCOTS after the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being permitted to race again, KING OF SCOTS will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ENRICHED and ELEGANCE DESIRE were sent for sampling.