18/05/2008  Shatin  Race 6

Prior to the start being effected, SPIRIT OF LO PAN became fractious. SPIRIT OF LO PAN was removed from its stall and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, SPIRIT OF LO PAN will have to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. Whilst SPIRIT OF LO PAN was being examined by the Veterinary Officer, MAJESTIC HEART also became fractious, got its head into the adjoining stall and struck its head on the barrier partition. MAJESTIC HEART was also removed from its stall and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of MAJESTIC HEART. Before being allowed to race again, MAJESTIC HEART will have to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ONE TOUCH, which was slow to begin, bumped the hindquarters of DASH shortly after the start, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. CHINA LUJIA was slow to begin and then despite being ridden along failed to muster speed and consequently raced back in the field. JOLLY BIRD began awkwardly, then in the early and middle stages proved difficult to settle. Passing the 1400 Metres, SOHNA was momentarily crowded for room inside JOLLY BIRD which itself was awkwardly placed inside the heels of KING FAY FAY which shifted in slightly away from the heels of SPIRIT OF LO PAN. Passing the 500 Metres, JOLLY BIRD was awkwardly placed between KING FAY FAY and KA KA SMART which shifted out slightly. Passing the 400 Metres, KING FAY FAY was steadied away from the heels of KEEN SPIRIT when shifting out into clear running. Also passing the 400 Metres, KA KA SMART shifted out and was momentarily steadied away from the heels of BULB TREASURE. Passing the 200 Metres, KEEN SPIRIT shifted out and bumped SPIRIT OF LO PAN. Throughout the race, DASH travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. The performance of DASH was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DASH will 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 improved performance of RELY ON ME, Trainer P F Yiu said the horse’s last start, its first for his stable, was in his opinion disappointing. He said for this reason he stepped the horse up in distance and added blinkers to the horse’s gear in the hope that this would result in an improved performance. He added the manner in which today’s race had run suited RELY ON ME in that it was able to dictate the tempo of the race to suit. He also added he believed RELY ON ME had been aided by a drop in the weight carried today. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of ONE TOUCH, G Mossé said from the horse’s wide draw it was obliged to cover ground and then was taken further wider rounding the Home Turn by DASH. He said despite this ONE TOUCH was most disappointing and in his opinion the horse did not stride out as he believed it should and its action became progressively worse throughout the race. He said for this reason he did not persist in riding the horse out over the final stages of the race. The performance of ONE TOUCH, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ONE TOUCH will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ONE TOUCH, DASH and KA KA SMART were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of ONE TOUCH, DASH and KA KA SMART after the race did not show any significant findings. CHINA LUJIA, RELY ON ME and SOHNA were sent for sampling.