29/01/2012  Shatin  Race 10

EXPRESS HORSE was withdrawn on 27.1.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter PAGANINI’S SOUL (M Du Plessis). PACKING WHIZ was withdrawn on 28.1.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (fever). Before being allowed to race again, EXPRESS HORSE and PACKING WHIZ will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SIR EAGLES began awkwardly and was slow to begin. GURUS DREAM began awkwardly. STRAIGHT GOLD was crowded for room at the start between WINDICATOR POWER and LUCKY SCEPTER which shifted out after beginning awkwardly. A short distance after the start, WINDICATOR POWER raced tight between STRAIGHT GOLD and REGENCY LUCK which got its head on the side and shifted in. Near the 850 Metres, EARL OF LEITRIM got its head on the side and hung out abruptly, resulting in CHATER MIKADO being checked when crowded for room and SIR EAGLES which was racing to the outside of CHATER MIKADO also being badly crowded for room inside FLYING COLOURS. Because of this, CHATER MIKADO, SIR EAGLES and FLYING COLOURS were all taken wider. Before being allowed to race again, EARL OF LEITRIM will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial around a bend. Making the first turn near the 850 Metres, GURUS DREAM and REGENCY LUCK bumped, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. LUCKY SCEPTER, which was following REGENCY LUCK, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Passing the 150 Metres, EARL OF LEITRIM, which was closing off the race strongly, got its head on the side and shifted in abruptly, resulting in its rider, D Whyte, changing his whip into his right hand. Then over the concluding stages, EARL OF LEITRIM shifted out. In the Straight, PROLIFIC CHAMPION got its head on the side and lay out. Throughout the race, TAILWIND travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of STRAIGHT GOLD, D Beadman stated that making the first turn his mount got its head up, proved difficult to settle and shifted out. He said after this STRAIGHT GOLD got its head on the side and lay out, however, remained racing with cover behind TAILWIND. He said after the 700 Metres STRAIGHT GOLD commenced to travel more generously and rounding the Home Turn travelled well enough to give him the feel that it would be a good chance in the race. He said however that after shifting to the outside of TAILWIND, STRAIGHT GOLD did not show a turn of foot and despite being ridden along was disappointing in the manner in which it did not respond to his riding. He added over the final 200 Metres STRAIGHT GOLD was very disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race. A veterinary inspection of STRAIGHT GOLD after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of STRAIGHT GOLD, a last start winner and favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, STRAIGHT GOLD 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 Officer reported that REGENCY LUCK had lost its left hind plate. A veterinary inspection of PROLIFIC CHAMPION and SIR EAGLES after the race did not show any significant findings. STRAIGHT GOLD, WINDICATOR POWER and PIZZAZZ were sent for sampling.