17/11/2007  Shatin  Race 2

At declaration time, E Saint-Martin was declared as the rider of both HAPPY TOUCH and NEW ASIA FORWARD. It was established that E Saint-Martin had a firm commitment to ride HAPPY TOUCH. As such, the Stewards permitted B Prebble to be substituted as the rider of NEW ASIA FORWARD. Mr K W Lui, trainer of NEW ASIA FORWARD, was fined $2,000 for this declaration error. After being boxed, GALLANT HUSSAR became fractious and reared, resulting in D Beadman, its rider, being dislodged. When D Beadman was dislodged, his left leg became caught between the horse and the back gate of its stall. As D Beadman was not able to fulfil his riding engagement, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of GALLANT HUSSAR. Before being allowed to race again, GALLANT HUSSAR will have to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. NEW ASIA FORWARD began awkwardly and lost ground. POWER DRAGON began awkwardly and bumped the inside gate of its stall. On jumping, EXCELLENT PLASTIC was bumped by REAL PLEASURE which began awkwardly and shifted out. ROCKET POWER was a little slow to begin, then despite being ridden failed to muster speed. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, BEJEWELED hung out. Near the 600 Metres, SUPER FIGHTER, which had been travelling wide and without cover, was allowed to stride forward and shift in. When SUPER FIGHTER shifted in near the 600 Metres, some inconvenience was caused to PRESTO. In the middle stages, POWER DRAGON proved difficult to settle and would not relax. Near the 500 Metres, MAGIC TOUCH was steadied away from the heels of BEJEWELED. KENOBE, which was following, was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of MAGIC TOUCH. On straightening, PRESTO was bumped by HAPPY TOUCH which at this time endeavoured to shift to the outside of SUPER FIGHTER to obtain clear running. For some distance after this, HAPPY TOUCH had difficulty obtaining clear running. Near the 300 Metres, NEW ASIA FORWARD, which was racing ungenerously, was checked to avoid the heels of BEJEWELED (Apprentice C W Wong) which shifted out while hanging when not properly clear. Apprentice Wong was severely reprimanded and told in similar circumstances he would be expected to exercise greater care. In the Straight, KENOBE hung out. Because of this, F Coetzee, its rider, changed the whip into his left hand near the 200 Metres. ROCKET POWER and PRESTO were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported REAL PLEASURE had sustained a cut wound to the inside heel of its left front foot and PRESTO had lost its left front plate.