30/10/2013  Shatin  Race 6

GREAT SKY proved difficult to load and then became fractious after being loaded. Before being allowed to race again, GREAT SKY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. After being loaded, CITY POWER became fractious and got its head up on a number of occasions and then when the gates were released had its head in the air and consequently was slow to begin. Before being allowed to race again, CITY POWER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. From the outside barrier, GREAT SPIRIT was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. GOOD DIRECTIONS was also taken across behind runners shortly after the start. COSTA DEL SOL and BOOM BABY BOOM bumped at the start. Approaching the 900 Metres, DANEWIN TIGER lost its right hind plate. Approaching the 800 Metres, TURIN CHAMPION was steadied away from the heels of LOADS OF JOY (H W Lai) which shifted in when not properly clear. H W Lai was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. CITY POWER made the first turn near the 700 Metres awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in BOOM BABY BOOM being taken wider. When questioned, H W Lai stated that he had to make considerable use of LOADS OF JOY in the early stages to cross runners to his inside. He said up in grade tonight, the horse was not able to close off the race after being pressured to take up a forward position. A veterinary inspection of LOADS OF JOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MONTE CASTELLO, D Whyte stated that his mount was able to take up a forward position in the early stages without having to be aggressively ridden. He said MONTE CASTELLO, after shifting in to race outside and just behind the leader making the first turn, then travelled well and at the entrance to the Straight he expected that horse to finish off the race well. He added however that MONTE CASTELLO came under heavy pressure shortly after entering the Straight and despite being ridden out gave ground and, in his opinion, raced disappointingly. A veterinary inspection of MONTE CASTELLO immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, MONTE CASTELLO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of TURIN CHAMPION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MONTE CASTELLO, GREAT SPIRIT and DANEWIN TIGER were sent for sampling.