30/03/2008  Shatin  Race 5

THE GOODIES and RED WINE HONEY were slow to begin. From the outside barrier, PURE ALPHA was taken across behind runners. In the middle stages, PURE ALPHA proved difficult to settle and was steadied away from the heels of THE GOODIES. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, EXPEDITIOUS shifted to a three wide position without cover. After the 400 Metres, PURE ALPHA was checked and blundered when disappointed for running between ELEPHANT DANCE and ROCKALOT which shifted in slightly. No action was taken. At the 350 Metres, THE GOODIES was checked and shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TREMENDOUS PLUS. Near the 100 Metres, SOARING DRAGON, which was closing the race off fairly, was steadied when awkwardly placed between HOLIGAN which was giving ground and PURE ALPHA which got its head on the side and shifted in. B Prebble (LUCKY MONEY STAR) was unable to offer any explanation for the poor performance of the horse other than he said the tempo of the race did not suit horses being ridden in a forward position. He said LUCKY MONEY STAR began awkwardly and shifted out, then throughout the race travelled with its head on the side. He said LUCKY MONEY STAR came under pressure shortly after straightening and kept on only one-paced until after the 200 Metres when it commenced to give ground. LUCKY MONEY STAR was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY MONEY STAR after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of LUCKY MONEY STAR was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY MONEY STAR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. D Whyte (RIGHT FRAAR) explained the intention had been to have the horse ridden in front of midfield if possible, however, from a wide barrier in the early stages he was left racing wide and without cover and because of this he allowed RIGHT FRAAR to travel further forward in an endeavour to shift closer to the rail. He said he was required to make some use of RIGHT FRAAR to clear EXPEDITIOUS and shift to a two wide position after the 900 Metres. He said despite the use which had been made of RIGHT FRAAR, in his opinion the horse was most disappointing in the manner in which it finished the race off as it commenced to give ground shortly after straightening. He said because of the manner in which RIGHT FRAAR commenced to give ground and the fact it was well beaten, he did not ride RIGHT FRAAR out to the end of the race. RIGHT FRAAR was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of RIGHT FRAAR after the race did not show any significant findings. In the circumstances, the performance of RIGHT FRAAR was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, RIGHT FRAAR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Z Purton (HOLIGAN) explained from a favourable draw he was instructed to ride the horse behind the leaders if possible. He said as a result of HOLIGAN being ridden in a forward position, the horse did not close the race off and in his opinion it is best suited when ridden quietly. HOLIGAN was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, HOLIGAN was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, HOLIGAN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. THE GOODIES and EXPEDITIOUS were sent for sampling. After the race, it was reported BARRACUDA had sustained cuts to the inside of its left hock.