12/01/2013  Shatin  Race 6

GOOD HONG KONG was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left front foot). Before being allowed to race again, GOOD HONG KONG will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After being loaded, PERFECT HEDGE became fractious. Before being allowed to race again, PERFECT HEDGE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. PILLOWIN was slow to begin. KEEP-A-PIN shifted out at the start and bumped KING OF THE DAY. AFFECTION began awkwardly and on leaving the stalls bumped the outside gate of its stall. After having to be ridden along in the early stages to obtain a forward position, PERFECT JOY commenced to race fiercely passing the 1000 Metres and for some distance had to be severely checked away from the heels of DEMON DEMON and in doing so shifted in and bumped KEEP-A-PIN approaching the 900 Metres. For some distance after this, PERFECT JOY continued to prove very difficult to settle and had to be continually checked away from the heels of DEMON DEMON until passing the 800 Metres. Passing the 800 Metres, DOUBLE MOON, which was racing to the inside of PERFECT JOY, momentarily raced in restricted room inside that horse. Near the 700 Metres, SPECTACULAR AWARD shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of PERFECT HEDGE. After this, SPECTACULAR AWARD travelled wide and without cover. At the 400 Metres, KEEP-A-PIN shifted out, resulting in KING OF THE DAY and PERFECT JOY being taken out onto DEMON DEMON which in turn shifted out, inconveniencing PERFECT HEDGE. AFFECTION was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. At the 200 Metres, AFFECTION, after improving to the outside of the heels of DOUBLE MOON, was taken out slightly by that horse. AFFECTION then shifted out, resulting in KING OF THE DAY being taken wider. KING OF THE DAY then got its head on the side and shifted out of its own accord, resulting in PERFECT JOY being checked when crowded for room inside DEMON DEMON. In the Straight, KEEP-A-PIN got its head on the side and hung in. When questioned, U Rispoli stated that consistent with its last start, he was asked to obtain cover on PERFECT HEDGE. He said on that occasion the horse drew 5, but today from barrier 10, he was not able to obtain cover in a forward position as asked. He said he shifted PERFECT HEDGE across behind DEMON DEMON in the early stages in the hope that PERFECT JOY would shift across to the rail, however, when KEEP-A-PIN maintained its position to the inside of that horse, PERFECT HEDGE was left racing three wide and without cover until after the 800 Metres at which point DEMON DEMON was taken to a three wide position which provided cover for PERFECT HEDGE. A veterinary inspection of ELEGANT FRAMES after the race revealed the horse had bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of PERFECT JOY after the race did not show any significant findings. KEEP-A-PIN and SUPREME GENKI were sent for sampling.