16/06/2010  Shatin  Race 11

After being loaded, SEEK N’ DESTROY became fractious and reared on a number of occasions. LOVE LOCKDOWN was crowded for room at the start between BLAZE KING and HAPPY REUNION which shifted out. FOREVER ELATION and ABLE SPEED bumped at the start. HAPPY BOY hung out rounding the Home Turn. Shortly after entering the Straight, SHINING VICTORY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ROYAL FLUSH when being shifted to the outside of that horse. Near the 300 Metres, UNION’S STAR was shifted out away from the heels of FOREVER ELATION. Approaching the 50 Metres, GOOD STRIKE was severely checked when disappointed for running between ROYAL FLUSH and NO MORE GREEN (G Cheyne) which shifted out. G Cheyne was advised that whilst GOOD STRIKE had not established running between the two horses, in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mount sooner than he did on this occasion. Throughout the race, HAPPY REUNION travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight hung in badly. Apprentice T H So reported that due to the racing manners of HAPPY REUNION, he was not able to test that horse in the Straight. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY REUNION will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial around a bend. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SEEK N’ DESTROY, D Whyte stated that his mount was very fractious in the stalls today, however, in the early stages travelled kindly in a position behind the speed. He said although his mount was racing in a three wide position, it was following the eventual winner, EL MORRO and was travelling comfortably. He said rounding the Home Turn he shifted SEEK N’ DESTROY to the outside of EL MORRO to improve his position, however, the horse became unbalanced in its action and was not striding out properly. He said he persevered with SEEK N’ DESTROY in the early part of the Straight, however, the manner in which SEEK N’ DESTROY was travelling indicated to him that there may have been something amiss with the horse. He said for this reason prior to the 200 Metres he eased the horse down, but at this time it was well out of contention. He added that after the race when trotting the horse back to the unsaddling area, its action continued to give him concern. A veterinary inspection of SEEK N’ DESTROY immediately after the race did not show any significant findings. Trainer J Size stated that the horse had pleased him since its last start success and at this time he was unable to offer any reasons for its poor performance. Before being allowed to race again, SEEK N’ DESTROY 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 BLAZE KING after the race did not show any significant findings. SEEK N’ DESTROY, EL MORRO and SHINING VICTORY were sent for sampling.