06/03/2010  Shatin  Race 8

On arrival at the barriers, it was noted that VIVA PRONTO had lost its left front plate. The horse was replated and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. YUMMY SPIRITS was slow to begin. PRESTO began awkwardly. Approaching the 1200 Metres, YUMMY SPIRITS was steadied when hampered by GOLDEN PISTOLS which shifted in. Near the 1100 Metres, JAZZA BELL, which was proving difficult to settle, got its head up when steadied away from the heels of NITTAN`S CROWN which shifted out away from the heels of YUMMY SPIRITS. After this, JAZZA BELL continued to prove difficult to settle. Passing the 400 Metres, PRESTO was awkwardly placed between NITTAN`S CROWN and JAZZA BELL which shifted out. Approaching the 300 Metres, YUMMY SPIRITS was shifted out away from the heels of AASHIQ to obtain clear running. Passing the 200 Metres, B Doyle (OPERATION SECRET) dropped his whip. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident had occurred over the concluding stages which cast doubt on whether AASHIQ should be declared the second placegetter. D Beadman, the rider of YUMMY SPIRITS, third placegetter, lodged a protest/objection against AASHIQ being declared the second placegetter alleging interference to his mount over the concluding stages. After hearing evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the films, the Stewards sustained the protest/objection when they found that YUMMY SPIRITS, which was closing off the race, was bumped and taken out by AASHIQ which shifted out. Having in mind the head margin between the two horses at the end of the race and the fact that D Beadman was unable to continue riding YUMMY SPIRITS as he had been prior to the shift out from AASHIQ, the Stewards were comfortably satisfied that had the interference which clearly took place not occurred that YUMMY SPIRITS would have finished in front of AASHIQ. Accordingly, the amended placings became No. 3, VIVA PRONTO, 1st; No. 9, YUMMY SPIRITS, 2nd; No. 11, AASHIQ, 3rd; and No. 13, ECLAIR FANTASTIC, 4th. VIVA PRONTO, YUMMY SPIRITS and AASHIQ were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that VIVA PRONTO had lost its left front plate.