15/12/2007  Shatin  Race 6

CRYSTAL was withdrawn on 14.12.07 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (stiff action in front) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter ANIMATION (Apprentice K L Chui). Before being allowed to race again, CRYSTAL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On jumping, REAL PLEASURE and SILLY BOY bumped. Shortly after the start, REAL PLEASURE lost ground when steadied while awkwardly placed between DASHING WINNER and SILLY BOY which got its head on the side and shifted in. At the 700 Metres, REAL PLEASURE became unbalanced when awkwardly placed inside CHIMERA. Making the Home Turn, DASHING WINNER hung out. In the early part of the Straight, TREASURE RAIDERS was held up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of ANIMATION. Near the 300 Metres, MASTER DREAMER was steadied when crowded for room between BLISS STAR and SUNNY GOLF which after being held up and unable to improve shifted out in an endeavour to find clear running. SUNNY GOLF continued to be held up and was unable to obtain clear running for some distance after this. After the 200 Metres, CALL ME CULLEN was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of CHIMERA to continue going forward. Over about the final 50 Metres, REAL PLEASURE, which was closing the race off strongly, had difficulty obtaining clear running and because of this was not fully tested. Apprentice K L Chui explained from the outside barrier he had been instructed if possible to obtain a position somewhere in front of midfield with cover. He said he was advised at its two prior starts ANIMATION had not begun well when racing at Happy Valley and as a consequence travelled behind midfield. He said he was advised if ANIMATION again did not begin well, it would be satisfactory for him to take the horse back to a rearward position. He said ANIMATION was a little slow to begin, he did consider taking the horse back in the early stages, however, it shortly afterwards commenced to travel keenly. He said because of this and to avoid being caught wide on the track, he felt it was in the best interest of ANIMATION to allow the horse to go forward and cross to race outside the lead. Trainer C S Shum explained he had added blinkers to the gear of the horse at the recommendation of Z Purton who had ridden the horse at its two previous starts. He said stepping up in distance to 1400 Metres and racing at Sha Tin for the first time, from the outside barrier it was thought ANIMATION which had not begun well at its two previous starts would be able to obtain a forward position, hopefully with cover in front of midfield. BLISS STAR and REAL PLEASURE were sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, BLISS STAR was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. A veterinary inspection of REAL PLEASURE after the race did not show any significant findings. ANIMATION and MONTE CRISTO were sent for sampling.