01/01/2015  Shatin  Race 4

ELITE SPIRIT was withdrawn on 31.12.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (substantial amount of mucopus on scoping after track work) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter JOYFUL MOMENTS (O Doleuze). Before being allowed to race again, ELITE SPIRIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. JOLLY SPRING and AMBITIOUS SPEEDY bumped at the start. ALL MY GAIN began awkwardly. From wide barriers, FOTOGENIC, CANNY FRANCO and ATHENA BABY were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 950 Metres, EVER SHINY was steadied away from the heels of ALL MY GAIN which shifted out when racing keenly. ALL MY GAIN and JOYFUL MOMENTS made the first turn near the 900 Metres awkwardly. After the 800 Metres, EVER SHINY, which was proving difficult to settle, got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of ALL MY GAIN which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of JOLLY SPRING. JOLLY SPRING was held up for clear running inside the heels of JOYEUX in the early part of the Straight. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of TRENDY WORLD, T H So stated that after being ridden along in the early stages, TRENDY WORLD was able to obtain a forward position outside the eventual winner WHY WHY. He said although today’s race was run slightly faster than at its only other start in Hong Kong when it was successful, it was not run at a quick tempo and TRENDY WORLD travelled well until the 500 Metres at which time the horse immediately came under heavy pressure to maintain its position. He said, despite being fully tested, TRENDY WORLD did not respond to his riding and was most disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race. He said today’s performance was in stark contrast to its only other start in Hong Kong when the horse was able to win when ridden in the lead. He said he could find no fault with the horse’s action throughout and after the race. He further added that he had ridden TRENDY WORLD in most its work in the lead up to today’s race as he did in the lead up to the horse’s first start and, based on that good work, it was expected that TRENDY WORLD would again race well today. Mr L Ho, the trainer of TRENDY WORLD, stated that the horse had had an uninterrupted preparation since its first up success and that its track work had been similar to that prior to its first start. He said the only reason he could identify at this stage for the horse’s disappointing performance was that it was unable to lead on the rail as it did at its last start. In respect of the horse drifting in the betting market, Mr Ho stated that, based on the horse’s track work, he had advised the owner of his expectation that TRENDY WORLD would perform well again today. A veterinary inspection of TRENDY WORLD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of TRENDY WORLD was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TRENDY WORLD will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TRENDY WORLD, WHY WHY and JOYEUX were sent for sampling.