21/02/2010  Shatin  Race 7

WO AI NINN was slow to begin. Near the 900 Metres and again passing the 800 Metres, WO AI NINN was steadied away from the heels of FORTUNE WINNER. After the 900 Metres, ANTIPASTO was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 700 Metres, GLORY OF INDIA was checked away from the heels of WO AI NINN which itself was crowded for room inside FORTUNE WINNER which at this time commenced to give ground abruptly. Passing the 600 Metres, BOUNCER was shifted out away from the heels of FORTUNE WINNER which continued to give ground abruptly. Then, a short distance later, DASH AHEAD was also checked away from the heels of FORTUNE WINNER. A veterinary inspection of FORTUNE WINNER after the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being permitted to race again, FORTUNE WINNER will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Rounding the Home Turn, DASH AHEAD shifted out and bumped THE GOODIES, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. When questioned, B Prebble (BOUNCER) stated that rounding the Home Turn he had hoped to be able to shift to the outside of horses to afford him uninterrupted running. He said however he was unable to shift out due to MONTE CRISTO racing to his outside and therefore at the top of the Straight he was obliged to look for inside runs. He said he shifted in away from the heels of WO AI NINN shortly after entering the Straight when that horse was not improving into the race as well as he thought it would. He added after he shifted to the inside of that horse, he was obliged to check BOUNCER away from the heels of ROYAL PEGASUS which was giving ground. He said he then elected to follow GLORY OF INDIA, however, when placed under pressure BOUNCER did not stretch out as he felt it would, got its head on the side and, in his opinion, may not have appreciated today’s track surface. He said although BOUNCER continued to make some ground over the concluding stages, the horse was not comfortable in its action. Having in mind B Prebble’s evidence, the Stewards ruled that BOUNCER must satisfactorily undergo an official veterinary examination prior to racing again. WO AI NINN, GLORY OF INDIA and HORACE’S LEGEND were sent for sampling. An inquiry into the reason for HORACE’S LEGEND being checked near the 1500 Metres was adjourned until prior to the first race at the Happy Valley racemeeting to be conducted next Wednesday, 24 February 2010.