24/02/2008  Shatin  Race 1

GAUCHO was withdrawn on 22.2.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (respiratory disease) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter TATTENHALL DELIGHT (E Wilson). Before being allowed to race again, GAUCHO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY, NEW ASIA FORWARD and MAGIC KING were slow to begin. Making the turn at the 700 Metres, MAGI JOY lost ground when awkwardly placed outside the heels of WELL NOTED which shifted out when being steadied away from the heels of DEMINER. In the Straight, TATTENHALL DELIGHT hung in. Throughout the race, KEEN TAKER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the poor performance of DEMINER, D Whyte explained in the early stages he had to make considerable use of his mount to cross and obtain the lead. He said after crossing to the fence shortly after the 800 Metres he endeavoured to steady DEMINER to allow it to run at a tempo to suit itself. He said when he did this MOSHI MOSHI and JADE DANCER improved to race outside him. He said when this occurred DEMINER did not relax and as a consequence in his opinion this contributed to the horse’s performance. B Prebble (JADE DANCER) explained his mount travelled three wide and without cover outside the lead for the major part of the race. He said when KEEN TAKER improved to race on his outside making the Home Turn JADE DANCER got its head up and was reluctant to hold its position. He said after this in the Straight JADE DANCER continued to race awkwardly with its head on the side and in his opinion felt weak. DEMINER was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. JADE DANCER was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of DEMINER and JADE DANCER after the race did not show any significant findings. WELL NOTED and KEEN TAKER were sent for sampling. After the race, it was reported MAGIC KING had sustained a bleeding cut to the left corner of its mouth.