05/01/2014  Shatin  Race 10

WINDICATOR STAR, which was fractious in the barriers, was slow to begin and was then taken across behind runners shortly after the start. VITAL FLYER was slow to begin. STRAIGHT GOLD lost its left front plate at the 600 Metres. Throughout the race, BEAUTY SPARKLE got its head on the side and hung in and when placed under pressure after the 400 Metres hung in badly, resulting in DANE PATROL being hampered when bumped by BEAUTY SPARKLE. After this, BEAUTY SPARKLE continued to hang in and proved very difficult to ride. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY SPARKLE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The racing manners of BEAUTY SPARKLE were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BEAUTY SPARKLE will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. Also after the 400 Metres, BEAR HERO got its head on the side and lay in. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of ENSEMBLE, J Moreira stated that after being loaded into the barriers, ENSEMBLE proved fractious and attempted to lunge at the front gates on two occasions. He said ENSEMBLE began well, however, came under pressure in the early part of the race to take up a trailing position behind DANE PATROL. He said in the early and middle stages he was always obliged to ride ENSEMBLE along to maintain its position and the horse came under heavy pressure passing the 500 Metres. He added despite being vigorously ridden out from the 500 Metres, ENSEMBLE weakened and was most disappointing. He said the only explanation he could offer for the disappointing performance was that the horse had had a number of runs thus far this season and it may benefit from being given a let-up. Trainer J Size stated that following ENSEMBLE’s uncharacteristically disappointing performance, it was his intention to give the horse a break and freshen it up before its next race start. A veterinary inspection of ENSEMBLE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of ENSEMBLE, a favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ENSEMBLE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. N Pinna (SHAHJEE) was fined $5,000 for weighing in after the race 2 lbs overweight. A veterinary inspection of STRAIGHT GOLD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ENSEMBLE, BEAR HERO and SHAHJEE were sent for sampling.