09/02/2008  Shatin  Race 11

UPSIDE OF ANGER, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 8.2.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, UPSIDE OF ANGER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Before being presented in the Parade Ring, it was noted PRIME SCORE had shifted its right front plate. This plate was reset and the horse was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. DAO DAO, which was fractious in its stall, began awkwardly and as a consequence lost a considerable amount of ground. WALKONTHEWILDSIDE began awkwardly, then lost further ground when checked after being crowded for room between FIRST AMONG EQUALS and VIVA HONG KONG which was bumped and carried out by HIGH POINT. From a wide barrier, GALLANT LION was taken across behind runners. After the 900 Metres, HIGH POINT, which was proving difficult to settle, was checked away from the heels of ONE WORLD which was also proving difficult to settle, got its head up and was checked away from the heels of KIMBO KID (Apprentice K L Chui) which after crossing to race outside the lead steadied. DAO DAO, which was following HIGH POINT, was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of that runner. Whilst the Stewards accepted that the racing manners of ONE WORLD had contributed to the incident, nonetheless Apprentice Chui was advised against bringing the pace off in front of runners. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, GLOBAL WIN hung out. From on straightening until after the 200 Metres, VIVA HONG KONG had difficulty obtaining clear running and near the 200 Metres was steadied away from the heels of O'REILLY RALLY. In the straight, DAO DAO hung in. When questioned regarding the poor performance of O'REILLY RALLY, B Prebble said from a wide barrier in the early stages he was obliged to travel four wide. He said because of this approaching the 800 Metres he allowed O'REILLY RALLY to stride forward and shift across to race three wide outside the lead. He said O'REILLY RALLY got its head on the side and was inclined to hang out making the turn and in the Straight was disappointing in the manner in which it finished the race off. He attributed the poor performance of O'REILLY RALLY to travelling wide and without cover throughout the race and also that the horse was stepping up in grade today. Y T Cheng (MERIDIAN PRIDE) said his mount travelled satisfactorily three wide with cover until entering the Home Straight, however, when placed under pressure failed to respond to his riding and gave ground. O'REILLY RALLY, PRIME SCORE and DAO DAO were sent for sampling.