25/11/2007  Shatin  Race 3

CHAMPION PIONEER, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 23.11.07 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore foot). Before being allowed to race again, CHAMPION PIONEER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. COME HO CHOI began awkwardly, bumped the outside gate of its stall and as a consequence lost a considerable amount of ground. RED WINE HONEY began awkwardly and bumped with CHEEKY LAD. Near the 1000 Metres, CHEEKY LAD, which had been racing wide and without cover, was taken back to obtain a position behind SPARE A DIME after being carried wider by that horse which shifted out while hanging. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, SOMETHING SPECIAL commenced to hang out. Making the Home Turn, BARRACUDA was carried wider by FREEBIRD which hung out. At the 400 Metres, COME HO CHOI was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of MULTIMIGHTY which commenced to give ground. Shortly after this, COME HO CHOI was bumped by MYTHIC STEED which shifted to the inside of SOMETHING SPECIAL which was giving ground. Approaching the 200 Metres, COME HO CHOI, which was closing the race off strongly, was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of FREEBIRD which when giving ground shifted in. B Prebble (CHEEKY LAD) was not able to offer an explanation for the poor performance of the horse. He said the intention was to ride CHEEKY LAD which was stepping up in distance to 1600 Metres today a little further forward than is usual. He said CHEEKY LAD began only fairly as it often does and then at no stage of the race travelled like he thought it should. He said CHEEKY LAD felt uncomfortable making the turn at the 800 Metres and despite his riding did not lengthen stride in the Home Straight. He said because of the manner in which CHEEKY LAD was travelling and because the horse was well beaten, he did not ride it out to the end of the race. He said after the race he noted the horse was not blowing as would be expected. CHEEKY LAD was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of CHEEKY LAD after the race did not show any significant findings. In the circumstances, the performance of CHEEKY LAD was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CHEEKY LAD will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SPARE A DIME was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. MULTIMIGHTY was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of SPARE A DIME after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, MULTIMIGHTY was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said the horse was severely lame in the right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, MULTIMIGHTY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ROCKET AND GOLD and MYTHIC STEED were sent for sampling. Additional Veterinary Reports (released on 26 November 2007) SPARE A DIME, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. SPARE A DIME was again examined by the Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison at the stables of Trainer J Size this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in the left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, SPARE A DIME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.