08/05/2010  Shatin  Race 2

NICKU began awkwardly and lost ground. LUCKY BO BO, which was fractious in the barriers, was slow to begin. For some distance passing the 800 Metres, KARBRIDGE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SHANGHAI PIONEER and then near the 600 Metres was checked away from the heels of SHANGHAI PIONEER, shifted out and bumped FISHKING GLORY. THE RIFLE, which was following KARBRIDGE, got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of KARBRIDGE in consequence and shifted out, resulting in ESPERANZA becoming unbalanced. Rounding the Home Turn, KARBRIDGE (Apprentice C Y Ho) and FISHKING GLORY made heavy contact as KARBRIDGE shifted out to obtain clear running. Apprentice Ho was advised to ensure that he does not race too close to the heels of runners in front and was also reprimanded for attempting to force out rounding the Home Turn, resulting in KARBRIDGE and FISHKING GLORY becoming unbalanced. SHANGHAI PIONEER was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. B Prebble (WINNER SMART) was fined $5,000 for improper use of the whip in that he raised weal marks over the horse’s right hindquarter. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration that B Prebble had been penalized for previous offences. A veterinary inspection of SUPER PEPPER after the race did not show any significant findings except that the horse had lost its left front plate. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that an endoscopic examination of CALIFORNIA OFFICER after the race showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. WINNER SMART and THE RIFLE were sent for sampling.