03/11/2010  Shatin  Race 6

MY WHISKY knuckled over at the start. SEEK N’ DESTROY began awkwardly and lost ground and then shortly after the start was taken across behind runners. OCEAN WIDE was slow to begin. For some distance passing the 1000 Metres, ST DIDAR proved difficult to settle when being steadied to allow WATCH WHAT HAPPENS to cross. Near the 750 Metres, FLYING CHINA shifted in, made solid contact with the running rail and as a result became unbalanced. Near the 400 Metres, FLYING CHINA was crowded for room when attempting to obtain a tight run to the inside of SMART KIDS. Near the 100 Metres, SMART KIDS was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of MY WHISKY to continue improving. Over the concluding stages, FLYING CHINA was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MY WHISKY. Because of this, FLYING CHINA was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. Throughout the race, MY WHISKY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, B Prebble stated that at LOADS OF JOY’s two final race starts last season, the horse, after leading, had not finished off the races as it had done earlier in its campaign. He said for this reason it was decided to ride LOADS OF JOY quietly in its two official barrier trials leading up to tonight’s race in an endeavour to establish whether it would be able to finish off better than it did in its final runs last season. He said when ridden with patience in these trials, LOADS OF JOY performed well and for this reason it was decided to ride it in this manner tonight. When questioned, Z Purton stated that OCEAN WIDE travelled well until the 200 Metres at which point it became disunited in its action. He said as he held concerns over the action of OCEAN WIDE, he eased it down over the concluding stages. He said when being trotted back to the unsaddling area, OCEAN WIDE again became disunited in its action. A veterinary inspection of OCEAN WIDE after the race did not show any significant findings. In the circumstances, the Stewards believed that OCEAN WIDE should trial satisfactorily and undergo an official veterinary examination prior to racing again. A veterinary inspection of SEEK N’ DESTROY after the race revealed that the horse was lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, SEEK N’ DESTROY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FLASHING AURA and ST DIDAR were sent for sampling.