10/04/2010  Shatin  Race 10

At declaration time, Apprentice K C Leung was declared as the rider of both BERIO and UNWRITTEN RULE. It was established that Apprentice Leung had a firm commitment to ride BERIO. As such, the Stewards permitted Apprentice K W Leung to be substituted as the rider of UNWRITTEN RULE. For this declaration error, Trainer B K Ng was fined $2,000. As the start was effected, GRAND DRAGON lifted its front feet off the ground and was slow to begin. After this, GRAND DRAGON was ridden along to make up ground and near the 1500 Metres was severely checked when improving into a run where there was insufficient room between LUMINOUS and LITTLE DREAMS which was racing tight inside HANNAH KING PRAWN. In this incident, GRAND DRAGON made contact with LITTLE DREAMS on a number of occasions, resulting in both horses becoming badly unbalanced. Making the first turn, PRIME TARGET lay in and was awkwardly placed on the heels of GRAND DRAGON. Rounding the Home Turn, GRAND DRAGON and IRISH JIG raced tight. Near the 300 Metres, HAPPY SEVEN was steadied away from the heels of BERIO which got its head on the side and shifted out. Throughout the race, HELENE WITTY travelled wide and without cover. The performances of CHEERFUL DELIGHTS, HELENE WITTY and PRIME TARGET, which finished tailed out, were all considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CHEERFUL DELIGHTS, HELENE WITTY and PRIME TARGET will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. O Doleuze (HANNAH KING PRAWN) stated that his mount did not travel during the race and in the Straight failed to stretch out. A veterinary inspection of HANNAH KING PRAWN and GRAND DRAGON after the race did not show any significant findings. YOU GOTTA PAY and LITTLE DREAMS were sent for sampling.