23/12/2007  Shatin  Race 5

KING OF SPADES was slow to begin. COME HO CHOI began awkwardly and knuckled. From a wide barrier, ACCELERATOR was taken across behind runners. Near the 1400 Metres, SOARING DRAGON got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of BOLD CHAMPION (C K Tong) which shifted in when not properly clear. C K Tong was told to exercise more care. Approaching the 1300 Metres, MYTHIC STEED was carried in by REAL SPECIAL which shifted in. On straightening, REAL SPECIAL became unbalanced behind after being bumped by MYTHIC STEED. Shortly after the 400 Metres, LIVERBIRD was steadied when crowded for room between MEGA BULLET and LUCKY MONEY STAR, both of which shifted ground. Shortly after this, ACCELERATOR was checked when disappointed for running between COME HO CHOI and LUCKY MONEY STAR which at this time was shifted out to relieve the crowding to LIVERBIRD. In the circumstances, no action was taken. At the 300 Metres, MYTHIC STEED was shifted to the outside of REAL SPECIAL into clear running. Over the final 200 Metres, COME HO CHOI hung in. At the 100 Metres, MEGA BULLET was steadied away from the heels of BOLD CHAMPION which shifted in. Over the concluding stages, ACCELERATOR hung in. Prior to the winning post, MEGA BULLET was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of BOLD CHAMPION which was shifting in. Because of this, MEGA BULLET was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. C K Tong was severely reprimanded and told in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mount. C Soumillon (LUCKY MONEY STAR) explained he had been instructed to ride the horse in a prominent position and if possible follow REAL SPECIAL which had drawn to his inside. He said on jumping he allowed REAL SPECIAL to go forward of him and immediately shifted across to follow that runner, however, other runners to his inside held their position which prevented him from obtaining a trail behind REAL SPECIAL. He said because of this LUCKY MONEY STAR travelled three wide and without cover in midfield. LUCKY MONEY STAR was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, LUCKY MONEY STAR was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea and was bleeding from a wound to its capped elbow. MYTHIC STEED and REAL SPECIAL were sent for sampling.