12/02/2011  Shatin  Race 4

GOODVIEW SUCCESSOR began awkwardly. ROCKET POWER was slow to begin. After the 1400 Metres, SUPER STRIKE, which was racing wide and without cover, was allowed to stride forward in an attempt to obtain a position closer to the fence. However, SUPER STRIKE was unable to obtain cover and consequently raced three wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. OPEN SESAME was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. When questioned regarding his riding of DRAGON VICTORY after the 600 Metres, W C Marwing stated that he had been following SUPER STRIKE. He said rounding the Home Turn he elected to attempt to obtain a run to the inside of that horse and behind PRIVATE ROAD rather than shifting to the outside of SUPER STRIKE. He said when he made this decision, GOODVIEW SUCCESSOR improved its position quickly to his inside and at the same time shifted out which resulted in DRAGON VICTORY being awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPER STRIKE which was commencing to give ground. He added that DRAGON VICTORY was then held up for clear running in the early stages of the Straight. He said after obtaining clear running, he rode DRAGON VICTORY along and the horse finished off the race fairly until near the 100 Metres at which time he was obliged to direct DRAGON VICTORY to the inside of the heels of MIRAGE R when that horse shifted out. W C Marwing was advised that his riding of DRAGON VICTORY passing the 600 Metres and rounding the Home Turn had come under notice and that in slightly different circumstances he may have found himself in breach of a serious Rule of Racing. W C Marwing was further advised that he must avail himself of all opportunities to improve his position as they become available. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SURROUNDED, D Beadman stated that from barrier 11, he elected to ride the horse quietly in the early stages when it began only fairly. He said that in a number of its recent starts SURROUNDED had not finished off the race when being ridden in forward positions. He said after being taken across behind runners shortly after the start, SURROUNDED then commenced to over-race badly for some distance after the 1400 Metres. He said that after the 1200 Metres SURROUNDED travelled more kindly, however, from the 700 Metres came under heavy pressure to maintain its position which obliged him to use the whip on the horse prior to the Home Turn. He added that despite being ridden along, SURROUNDED did not respond to his riding and was most disappointing. A veterinary inspection of SURROUNDED after the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CHANTILLY, N Callan stated that at its most recent start when successful, the horse, from a favourable draw, was able to obtain runs close to the inside. He said today from barrier 13, CHANTILLY was obliged to race three wide throughout the race, albeit with cover. He said rounding the Home Turn CHANTILLY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of RAIN OF THUNDER which shifted out and then when placed under pressure in the Straight finished off the race only fairly and was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of CHANTILLY after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that RAIN OF THUNDER had sustained a cut to the outside of the left front heel. Also after the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on BUMPER STRIKE at the request of Trainer J Size. He said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, BUMPER STRIKE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GOODVIEW SUCCESSOR and OPEN SESAME were sent for sampling. <14/2/2011 Additional Veterinary Report>After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on BUMPER STRIKE at the request of Trainer J Size. The Veterinary Officer reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that BUMPER STRIKE was lame in its right front leg on the morning after racing. As previously advised, BUMPER STRIKE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.