11/07/2010  Shatin  Race 4

HUSSLER was withdrawn on 10.7.10 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SOARING DRAGON (D Beadman). Before being allowed to race again, HUSSLER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After being loaded, LITTLE DREAMS lost its left front plate. LITTLE DREAMS was removed from the barriers. After the plate was reset, LITTLE DREAMS was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. GREEN SUPREME was slow to begin. Passing the 1400 Metres, TIME LEGEND proved very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when being checked away from the heels of TRAVEL GUIDE and then near the 1200 Metres TIME LEGEND became badly unbalanced when again checked to avoid the heels of TRAVEL GUIDE. Over the concluding stages, OUTDOOR PEGASUS shifted out under pressure. In the Straight, HAPPY BOY hung out. Throughout the race, FIRM OFFER travelled wide and without cover. The performance of BUTTERFIELD, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BUTTERFIELD will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, Apprentice K W Leung stated that he had been asked to place IRON FIST in about 6th position and obtain cover if possible from barrier 10. He said it was explained to him that at its most recent start when IRON FIST had been ridden closer to the lead, the horse had performed somewhat disappointingly. He said it was hoped that by being ridden in this manner today that the horse would be able to close off the race. He said however that due to runners being positioned to his inside, he was caught three wide in the early stages and near the 1000 Metres was left racing without cover. When questioned regarding the performance of ENHANCED, D Whyte stated that the horse travelled well during the run, however, when placed under pressure in the Straight finished off the race only fairly and in his opinion raced “flat”. A veterinary inspection of ENHANCED and BUTTERFIELD after the race did not show any significant findings. ENHANCED, OUTDOOR PEGASUS and LITTLE DREAMS were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that FIRM OFFER was lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, FIRM OFFER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.