21/04/2012  Shatin  Race 8

THE PEAK was withdrawn on 20.4.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (substantial amount of mucopus in trachea on scoping after track work) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter RUMBA KING (W C Marwing). Before being allowed to race again, THE PEAK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. M L Yeung (NIGHTLIGN) was fined $2,000 for initially presenting himself to weigh out without a girth and a surcingle. After being loaded, SEA DIAMOND became fractious. Before being allowed to race again, SEA DIAMOND will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. SEA DIAMOND and FIONN’S TREASURE bumped at the start. From wide barriers, SLICK BULLET and BO BO EXPRESS were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After the 1000 Metres, SEA DIAMOND got its head up on a number of occasions when proving difficult to settle. In the early and middle stages, BO BO EXPRESS raced greenly. Near the 700 Metres, FIONN’S TREASURE was momentarily crowded for room inside PO CHING KING which shifted in marginally. PO CHING KING was then shifted out to relieve the tightening to FIONN’S TREASURE. When FIONN’S TREASURE was momentarily crowded for room near the 700 Metres, RUMBA KING, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Rounding the Home Turn, SEA DIAMOND got its head on the side and shifted out. At the 400 Metres, SLICK BULLET was shifted to the inside of JOYFUL LUCK to improve its position. A short distance later, SLICK BULLET was then shifted out when JOYFUL LUCK shifted in under pressure. When questioned, M Chadwick (PO CHING KING) stated that at the 700 Metres he attempted to cross FIONN’S TREASURE, however, he realized that he was not sufficiently clear of that horse and after crowding the room of FIONN’S TREASURE, he then shifted out to relieve the tightening. He said after this he attempted to improve his position so as to adequately clear FIONN’S TREASURE and shift across to race on the rail, however, FIONN’S TREASURE continued to maintain its position inside his heels and as he did not want to aggressively ride PO CHING KING forward at this time, he elected to remain racing one horse off the fence rather than continuing to attempt to cross FIONN’S TREASURE. SEA DIAMOND, FIONN’S TREASURE and RUMBA KING were sent for sampling.