14/10/2007  Shatin  Race 2

ACCELERATOR and CHOSEN ONE were slow to begin. RISING WIN began awkwardly, got its head up, shifted out and bumped SPICY HOT. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, TELECOM TYCOON failed to muster speed and then throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. When racing without cover in the early stages, GLOBAL WAY proved difficult to settle. Near the 1000 Metres, ACCELERATOR was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of NOBLE ZOOM. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, SPEED OF LIGHT was checked when crowded for room between ACCELERATOR which shifted out and GLOBAL WAY which momentarily shifted in. No action was taken. At the 500 Metres, ACCELERATOR was steadied when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GENERAL SPEEDEE. In the Straight, GLOBAL WAY hung in. Because of this at the 100 Metres, A Delpech, its rider, stopped riding and straightened his mount. Also in the Straight, ACCELERATOR hung in. After the 50 Metres, ACCELERATOR, which was closing the race off strongly, was checked when disappointed for running between MAJIN BUU and GLOBE RIVER which shifted out. As ACCELERATOR had not established clear running, no action was taken. Over the concluding stages, RISING WIN, which was closing the race off strongly, had difficulty obtaining clear running between GENERAL SPEEDEE and MAJIN BUU. Because of this, RISING WIN was not ridden out right to the end of the race. When questioned regarding the poor performance of SPICY HOT, D Beadman said the horse felt well within itself during the preliminary. He said SPICY HOT began only fairly and bumped with another runner, then despite being ridden along failed to muster speed. He said SPICY HOT felt as though it was not striding out fully and near the 800 Metres he hit the horse down the shoulder with the whip in an endeavour to have it travel more kindly. He said however SPICY HOT continued to travel only fairly, then on straightening he shifted the horse out in the hope it would close the race off. He said however SPICY HOT failed to respond and was most disappointing. Mr C Fownes, trainer of SPICY HOT, was unable to offer any explanation for the performance of the horse which was having its 4th start for this season. He said he anticipated by adding side winkers to the gear in which SPICY HOT raced, the horse would race in a position slightly behind midfield. He said generally SPICY HOT had disappointed him since joining his stable, however, he believed the horse would be competitive in Class 5 races which it has been up until today. He did say he will now consider removing the side winkers from SPICY HOT as in his opinion this may have contributed to the manner in which the horse travelled. When questioned regarding the work of SPICY HOT leading into today’s race, Mr Fownes said he had not galloped SPICY HOT between runs as in his opinion the horse was fully fit and did not require such work. He said SPICY HOT had not had any health issues since its last run. SPICY HOT was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of SPICY HOT after the race did not show any significant findings. In the circumstances, the Stewards believed the performance of SPICY HOT was unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SPICY HOT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DONGGUAN VICTORY was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of DONGGUAN VICTORY after the race did not show any significant findings. GLOBE RIVER and GENERAL SPEEDEE were sent for sampling.