17/10/2010  Shatin  Race 2

After being loaded, PRETTY ONE became fractious and momentarily got its right hind leg on the platform. PRETTY ONE was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said, in his opinion, it was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of PRETTY ONE. Before being allowed to race again, PRETTY ONE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GOODVIEW SUCCESSOR began very awkwardly and lost a considerable amount of ground at the start. Before being allowed to race again, GOODVIEW SUCCESSOR will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. VICTORIA SMILE was slow to begin. From a wide barrier, SCENT OF OSMANTHUS was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. In the early stages, CLASSIC BOY raced greenly and near the 850 Metres became unbalanced. After this, CLASSIC BOY continued to race greenly. When questioned, Apprentice T H So stated that as usual he was instructed to obtain a forward position on FUN. He said in the early stages he obtained a position to be racing outside and in advance of GUAN DAO and approaching the first turn felt that he may be in a position to cross that horse. He said however that GUAN DAO was ridden along to maintain its position inside the heels of FUN and therefore he was not able to cross that horse. He said rounding the first turn FUN shifted out and for these reasons he was not able to cross GUAN DAO and assume a two wide position outside CAPTAIN SWEET. Apprentice So was advised that he should have made more of an attempt than he did on this occasion to clear GUAN DAO and avoid racing unnecessarily wide. When questioned, H W Lai explained that due to GUAN DAO’s established history of hanging out in races, he rode GUAN DAO along to maintain its position inside the heels of FUN so that that horse would be able to help GUAN DAO around the corner. He said he had to make more use of GUAN DAO to maintain its position to the inside of FUN than he had hoped and then in the Straight GUAN DAO weakened despite his riding the horse along. A veterinary inspection of GUAN DAO and BEST NOODLE after the race did not show any significant findings. CAPTAIN SWEET and RACING LEGEND were sent for sampling.