20/03/2011  Shatin  Race 5

After being loaded, SOLAR WONDER became fractious and broke open the front gates of its stall. Then as the start was effected, SOLAR WONDER lifted both feet off the ground, was slow to begin and then despite being ridden along in the early stages was slow to muster speed. Before being allowed to race again, SOLAR WONDER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. Also after being loaded, FULL SPIRIT became very fractious. Before being allowed to race again, FULL SPIRIT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. Close to the finishing line, HOW WONDERFUL was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BLEDISLOE. Because of this, HOW WONDERFUL was not ridden out to the end of the race was it normally would be. The performance of OUTTALIMITZ, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, OUTTALIMITZ 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 regarding his riding of FULL SPIRIT in the Straight, G Mossé stated that he placed his mount under full pressure at the entrance to the Straight. He said approaching the 200 Metres FULL SPIRIT was hampered when momentarily crowded for room between SOLAR WONDER and CHANTILLY which shifted in. He said after this he slapped the horse down the shoulder with the whip on a number of occasions. He said near the 100 Metres he used the whip in the back hand on one occasion before again resorting to slapping the horse down the shoulder with the whip in the run to the line. He added that he did not continue to ride FULL SPIRIT out to the best of his ability as, in his opinion, the horse did not feel right and was a beaten horse at this time. A veterinary inspection of FULL SPIRIT immediately after the race and a further examination of the horse some time later did not reveal any significant findings other than the horse had sustained minor abrasions to the right front fetlock. G Mossé was found guilty of a breach of Rule 100(2) in that he failed to ride FULL SPIRIT out over the final 150 Metres to the satisfaction of the Stewards. For this breach, G Mossé was fined the sum of $20,000. B Prebble (PRIVATE ROAD) said that near the 700 Metres his mount became badly unbalanced in its action. He said at this time he looked around to his left as he felt that another horse may have galloped on PRIVATE ROAD. When questioned, W M Lai stated that as SOHNA was attempting the 2000 Metre distance of today’s race for the first time, it was felt that if the horse were ridden too far back in the field, it may over-race and accordingly would not be able to finish off the race. He said for this reason from barrier 13, he was instructed to be positive on the horse and have it in about 3rd or 4th position if possible. He said however after taking up a forward position, SOHNA was not able to obtain cover throughout the race. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SPINNAKER, D Whyte stated that throughout the run SPINNAKER appeared to resent racing in restricted room inside YOUNG HERO. He said he had hoped to be able to improve into the race after the 600 Metres, however, at this time he was caught behind OUTTALIMITZ which was commencing to give ground. He said rounding the Home Turn he shifted to the outside of OUTTALIMITZ to follow YOUNG HERO into the race, however, in the Straight SPINNAKER was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to respond to his riding. Trainer J Size stated that SPINNAKER had progressed well since its most recent run and he was not able to offer any explanation for the horse’s performance. He did say that following a recommendation from Jockey Whyte, he would experiment with the gear applied to SPINNAKER prior to its next race start. A veterinary inspection of SPINNAKER after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SPINNAKER was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SPINNAKER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that an endoscopic examination of DRAGON VICTORY showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, DRAGON VICTORY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SPINNAKER, HANDSOME BATCHELOR and BLEDISLOE were sent for sampling.