24/03/2010  Shatin  Race 1

After being loaded, GALLOPY became fractious. Before being allowed to race again, GALLOPY will have to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. As the start was effected, GENERAL POWER, which was fractious in the barriers, put its head down, then refused to jump from the stalls and missed the start badly. After leaving the barrier stalls, GENERAL POWER was then reluctant to race and took no part. In this incident, Apprentice T H So lost the use of his left side stirrup iron. Before being allowed to race again, GENERAL POWER will have to perform satisfactorily in a series of consecutive official barrier trials. DESCARTES began awkwardly, then shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of MIGHTY WINNER. From a wide gate, LEAD THE PROSPECTS was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Making the first turn, DESCARTES was steadied away from the heels of FULL BLESSINGS (D Whyte) which shifted in when barely clear. D Whyte was reprimanded and advised to be sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. DAILY DOUBLE, which was following, was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of DESCARTES. TREASURABLE raced wide and without cover until near the 500 Metres. Rounding the Home Turn, MIGHTY WINNER and FULL BLESSINGS bumped on a number of occasions as MIGHTY WINNER shifted out to obtain clear running. Z Purton (MIGHTY WINNER) reported that his saddle slipped back mid-race. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of NEWSWIRE TOO, B Prebble stated that the horse travelled satisfactorily until near the 500 Metres at which point it was bumped by DESCARTES which shifted out away from the heels of FULL BLESSINGS. He said after this NEWSWIRE TOO came off the bit and was reluctant to stretch out for the remainder of the race. The performance of NEWSWIRE TOO was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, NEWSWIRE TOO 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 NEWSWIRE TOO and TREASURABLE after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FULL BLESSINGS after the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm and had bled from both nostrils. Before being permitted to race again, FULL BLESSINGS will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. NEWSWIRE TOO, DAILY DOUBLE and MIGHTY WINNER were sent for sampling. <25/3/2010 Additional Veterinary Report > NEWSWIRE TOO, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. NEWSWIRE TOO was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer A Lee this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front leg. As previously advised, NEWSWIRE TOO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.