24/03/2008  Shatin  Race 1

GUMPTION was withdrawn on 22.3.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (bled after track work) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter REDHILL COMMANDER (M Du Plessis). After being boxed, SUPERNOVA became fractious and reared, resulting in its rider, G Mossé, sustaining an injury to his right arm. G Mossé was examined by the Club’s doctors who said in their opinion he was not suitable to ride. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of SUPERNOVA. Before being allowed to race again, SUPERNOVA will have to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. Also after being boxed, LUCKY RED became fractious. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY RED will have to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. LUCKY QUALITY bounded in the air at the start, then shortly afterwards bumped with the hindquarters of HAPPY SUNDAY which shifted in. As a result, HAPPY SUNDAY became badly unbalanced. REDHILL COMMANDER was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, OCEAN WIDE was checked when crowded for room outside SILVER BLAZE (B Prebble) which got its head on the side and shifted out away from BEJEWELED. As the Stewards were satisfied B Prebble had made an effort to prevent his horse from shifting ground, he was severely reprimanded, however, he was told in similar circumstances he would be expected to make a greater effort than he had on this occasion. In this incident, some inconvenience was caused to LUCKY QUALITY which as a result was steadied. In the early stages, GOOD TOUCH when being steadied in an endeavour to obtain a position with cover raced greenly and shifted ground on a number of occasions. At the 700 Metres, NEWSWIRE TOO was checked when crowded for room between OCEAN WIDE which was carried in by BEJEWELED and GOOD TOUCH which shifted out while continuing to race ungenerously. At the 500 Metres, BEJEWELED was steadied away from the heels of LUCKY QUALITY which shifted out slightly away from the heels of LUCKY RED which shifted in slightly. After the 200 Metres, CARRY GOOD NEWS was steadied and shifted out when having difficulty obtaining clear running. For some distance approaching and passing the 100 Metres, HAPPY SUNDAY was steadied away from the heels of ABLE DANCER which was having difficulty obtaining clear running. Approaching the 100 Metres, REDHILL COMMANDER was shifted in to obtain clear running. Over the concluding stages, GOOD TOUCH hung out and proved difficult to ride. D Whyte (OCEAN WIDE) explained after his mount received interference shortly after the start, it was unbalanced in its action and did not appear comfortable. He said because of this he shifted OCEAN WIDE in away from other runners in an endeavour to have the horse properly balanced, however, OCEAN WIDE remained unbalanced in its action and was disappointing. OCEAN WIDE was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. LUCKY RED was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of OCEAN WIDE and LUCKY RED after the race did not show any significant findings. SILVER BLAZE and BEJEWELED were sent for sampling. After the race, it was reported GOOD TOUCH had lost its right front plate.