19/12/2007  Happy Valley  Race 7

FOKINE was withdrawn on 17.12.07 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (blood abnormality) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter CANNONISE (H W Lai). Before being allowed to race again, FOKINE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After arriving at the Start, the tongue tie fitted to ADAIKALI was replaced. As the start was effected, DIM SUM became fractious, lifted its front feet off the ground and as a consequence was slow to begin. NOBLE MAN was slow to muster speed. Making the turn at the 1000 Metres, NOBLE MAN was checked severely when crowded for room inside MAVERICK STAR which itself was crowded for room and carried in by KING ENCOSTA which at this time checked when awkwardly placed inside the heels of HONGKONG SUPERSTAR (C K Tong) which was racing inside the heels of GRAND STORE. SANZIRO, which was following, was checked in consequence and DIM SUM was hampered and carried wider. Whilst the incident was one of some significance, the Stewards on the available evidence were not able to satisfy themselves that any rider was solely responsible for the incident, however, C K Tong was told to exercise greater care. Near the 700 Metres, KING ENCOSTA was steadied when crowded for room inside DIM SUM (D Beadman) which shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GRAND STORE which at this time was being steadied in an endeavour to find a position with cover. In the circumstances, D Beadman was told he would be expected to exercise greater care. Near the 500 Metres, DIM SUM was steadied when awkwardly placed between MAVERICK STAR and GRAND STORE. Approaching the 400 Metres, BEAR MACHO was steadied away from the heels of ADAIKALI. On straightening, DIM SUM was steadied when awkwardly placed between MAVERICK STAR and SANZIRO and close to the heels of GRAND STORE. Also on straightening, GRAND STORE was steadied when awkwardly placed between CANNONISE and BEAR MACHO (A Delpech) which shifted out. A Delpech was advised to exercise care. After the 200 Metres, GRAND STORE was steadied away from the heels of MAVERICK STAR which shifted out. After the 100 Metres, HONGKONG SUPERSTAR and ADAIKALI bumped. Over about the final 50 Metres, MAVERICK STAR was awkwardly placed and carried in when improving inside the heels of BEAR MACHO which shifted ground. Throughout the race, CANNONISE travelled wide and without cover. Y T Cheng (GRAND STORE) explained while the horse is best suited racing on the All Weather surface, in his opinion it did not handle the steep rise in grade of tonight’s race. DIM SUM and GRAND STORE were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of DIM SUM and GRAND STORE after the race did not show any significant findings. BEAR MACHO, KING ENCOSTA and SANZIRO were sent for sampling.