12/03/2011  Shatin  Race 3

SPEED RACER was withdrawn on 11.3.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore foot) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SPANDAU BALLET (Apprentice C Y Ho). Before being allowed to race again, SPEED RACER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Whilst in the saddling stalls, EASY GOLD had its right front plate refitted. EASY GOLD was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. HIGH RETURN knuckled over at the start and a short distance later was bumped by SUPER BOBO which in turn was bumped by BEAUTIFUL CHOICE. For some distance approaching the 900 Metres, EASY GOLD was awkwardly placed inside the heels of I SMELL MONEY (D Whyte) and then near the 900 Metres was steadied away from the heels of that horse which shifted in when barely clear. D Whyte was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care. Near the 900 Metres, AMAZING JOURNEY got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of FAIRY’S KISS. A short distance later, AMAZING JOURNEY struck the heels of FAIRY’S KISS and blundered. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that FAIRY’S KISS had lost its left hind plate and had sustained a wound to the left hind fetlock. For some distance approaching the 800 Metres, OPEN SESAME got its head up when proving difficult to settle. MORE LUCKY had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Over the concluding stages, SUPER BOBO raced in restricted room inside I SMELL MONEY. When questioned, B Prebble stated that it had been stressed upon him for SUPER GENTLEMAN to be settled in today’s race as the horse has a history of proving difficult to manage in races. He said for this reason from barrier 9 he took SUPER GENTLEMAN across behind runners shortly after the start to ensure that the horse did not over-race. He said near the 1300 Metres SUPER GENTLEMAN was momentarily awkwardly placed behind SPANDAU BALLET. He said he continued to follow SPANDAU BALLET and the eventual winner OPEN SESAME throughout the race, however, SUPER GENTLEMAN came on and off the bridle at various times throughout the middle stages. He added that after following SPANDAU BALLET and OPEN SESAME rounding the Home Turn, he shifted SUPER GENTLEMAN to the outside of runners, however, when placed under pressure SUPER GENTLEMAN was most disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of SUPER GENTLEMAN after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. The performance of SUPER GENTLEMAN, a favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUPER GENTLEMAN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUPER GENTLEMAN, OPEN SESAME and HIGH RETURN were sent for sampling.