24/02/2008  Shatin  Race 6

On jumping, THREE CLUBS and TREASURABLE bumped. After this, THREE CLUBS lost ground when crowded for room between TREASURABLE and GOLDEN BALL which was carried out by SUMMERVILLE POWER. In the early stages, MAGIC TEMPLE and WADADELIGHT were taken across behind runners. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, LIAOBUQI was slow to muster speed. From the outside barrier, despite being ridden along, COURAGEOUSHEART failed to muster speed, then making the first turn was carried wider by UNIQUE SPEED which shifted out. After this, COURAGEOUSHEART was steadied and taken across to a position with cover. After the 1400 Metres, MAGIC TOUCH was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of WADADELIGHT. Making the turn at the 700 Metres, GOLDEN BALL was steadied away from the heels of TREASURABLE. At the 500 Metres, WADADELIGHT was steadied away from the heels of SUMMERVILLE POWER. Making the Home Turn, UNIQUE SPEED, which was hanging out, was carried wider by COURAGEOUSHEART which was in turn carried out by MAGIC TOUCH. Shortly after straightening, MAGIC TEMPLE was steadied when having difficulty obtaining clear running between GOLDEN BALL and KING HESPERUS. For the major part of the race, DR WELL travelled wide and without cover. The performances of DR WELL and UNIQUE SPEED, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DR WELL and UNIQUE SPEED will both be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the poor performance of TREASURABLE, Apprentice K L Chui said the horse was stepping up in distance to 1650 Metres for the first time today. He said in the early stages he was not able to obtain a position with cover and as a consequence TREASURABLE did not relax for him. He said after the 1000 Metres he made some use of TREASURABLE to go forward in an endeavour to cross to avoid being caught wide. He said in the Straight TREASURABLE failed to finish the race off. F Coetzee (GOLDEN BALL) said his mount travelled in a forward position as anticipated, however, was not able to obtain the fence when SUMMERVILLE POWER held its position to his inside. He said after the 1000 Metres TREASURABLE commenced to improve its position around his outside and GOLDEN BALL was not travelling well enough to prevent that horse from crossing in front of him. He said after this GOLDEN BALL did not travel well and was disappointing in the manner in which it finished the race off. TREASURABLE, MAGIC TOUCH and GOLDEN BALL were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of TREASURABLE and MAGIC TOUCH after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, GOLDEN BALL was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said there were no significant findings other than the horse had lost its right front plate. THREE CLUBS, FAT CHOY FOREVER and SUMMERVILLE POWER were sent for sampling.