24/01/2010  Shatin  Race 2

After being loaded, CRISTAL MAGNUM became fractious and reared. CRISTAL MAGNUM was removed from the stalls and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said, in his opinion, it was suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, CRISTAL MAGNUM will have to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. HOT ASSET and SOUNDS EXCELLENT were slow to begin. FASCINATING SMILE, which was slow to begin, was hampered shortly after the start when bumped by PAPAS which shifted in after being bumped by WONDERFUL DOLPHIN which began awkwardly and shifted in. Approaching the 1100 Metres, GOOD JOB commenced to over-race, got its head up on a number of occasions and proved difficult to settle. Then passing the 1000 Metres, GOOD JOB again proved very difficult to settle when being checked away from the heels of SOLITAIRE, again got its head up on a number of occasions and shifted out, resulting in WIN-A-LOT and FASCINATING SMILE being hampered. For some distance after this, GOOD JOB continued to race ungenerously. In the early part of the Straight and then over the concluding stages, HOT ASSET got its head on the side and hung in. Throughout the race, THINK BIG travelled wide and without cover. The performance of PAPAS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PAPAS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GOOD JOB, D Whyte stated that although his mount proved difficult to settle in the early and middle stages, he did not offer this as a significant reason for the horse’s disappointing performance. He said after proving somewhat difficult to manage in the early part of the race, GOOD JOB commenced to travel passing the 800 Metres and continued to do so until rounding the Home Turn. He added however he became concerned with the manner in which GOOD JOB was travelling when he was unable to shift WIN-A-LOT out rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight. He said after placing the horse under pressure, it did not respond to his riding and, in his opinion, was very disappointing. A veterinary inspection of GOOD JOB and PAPAS after the race did not show any significant findings. GOOD JOB, STAR LEGEND and SOUNDS EXCELLENT were sent for sampling.