01/05/2008  Shatin  Race 9

MONEY MAN was withdrawn on 30.4.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SIAMERIC TE SPECSO (B Prebble). Before being allowed to race again, MONEY MAN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CLASSA BETTER began awkwardly, lost ground, then in the middle stages hung out badly and ran off the track. CLASSA BETTER was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, CLASSA BETTER was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. The performance of CLASSA BETTER was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CLASSA BETTER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On jumping, DEMINER blundered. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, DREAM HORSE failed to muster speed. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, TAIJI SPIRIT was carried wider by DEMINER which got its head on the side and hung out. In the middle stages, DREAM HORSE hung out badly and lost ground. Before being allowed to race again, DREAM HORSE will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Near the 100 Metres, POS TRUMPS, which was closing the race off strongly, was checked and blundered when disappointed for running between GAUCHO and WINE WIN. When questioned regarding the poor performance of GAUCHO, G Boss was not able to offer any explanation. He said the horse was able to lead at a tempo to suit, however, did have runners travel to its outside. He said at the 600 Metres he was able to work forward to lead on his own, however, in the Straight GAUCHO did not respond to his riding and was disappointing. When questioned regarding the poor performance of SHANGDONG GENERAL, Y T Cheng said he rode his mount forward from a wide barrier as he did when it was successful at its most recent race start. He said the tempo of today’s race was quicker than at the horse’s last start. He said because of the manner in which today’s race was run he was obliged to travel three wide and without cover outside the lead. He said because of the pressure he had applied to SHANGDONG GENERAL in the early stages he elected to allow the horse to have a breather after the 700 Metres, however, the horse then failed to respond to his riding in the Straight. SHANGDONG GENERAL was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of SHANGDONG GENERAL after the race did not show any significant findings. DEMINER was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, DEMINER 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, DEMINER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MASTER GREEN, SIAMERIC TE SPECSO and SUPER FIGHTER were sent for sampling.