25/05/2008  Shatin  Race 10

O’REILLY RALLY was withdrawn on 24.5.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HE CAN TANGO (Apprentice K L Chui). Before being allowed to race again, O’REILLY RALLY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. As CONESTOGA was not able to be saddled, to avoid an unnecessary delay, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of the horse. Before being allowed to race again, CONESTOGA will be required to undergo a pre-race parade including being saddled in the saddling stalls to the satisfaction of the Stewards. HURRICANE DASH was slow to begin, then after being ridden along proved difficult to settle in the early stages. At the 900 Metres, SUPER TRAVELLER was steadied to avoid the heels of VICTORY STYLE (S K Sit) which shifted in when not properly clear. S K Sit was told to exercise greater care. Also at the 900 Metres, SKYVIEW BAR got its head on the side and hung in away from the heels of REGENCY DRAGON. At the 800 Metres, GALEN WIN was steadied away from the heels of REGENCY DRAGON which steadied the tempo slightly after crossing to the lead. After the 800 Metres, HE CAN TANGO was left racing wide and without cover. When questioned, D Beadman (GRAND CRU) said the intention had been to have the horse travel in about 4th or 5th position if possible. He said GRAND CRU did not show natural speed in the early stages and he obtained a position about midfield on the fence inside the heels of SUPER TRAVELLER. He said for him to maintain his position on the inside of SUPER TRAVELLER he would have been required to ride GRAND CRU along which would not have been in the best interest of his mount which had shown itself previously to perform best when being able to travel comfortably in the run. He said on straightening he slapped GRAND CRU down the shoulder with the whip on two occasions to have the horse commence to improve. He said initially GRAND CRU responded only fairly to his riding, however, over the concluding stages closed the race off strongly. He said in his opinion had more use been made of GRAND CRU, the horse would have failed to finish the race off. SKYVIEW BAR and GALEN WIN were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of SKYVIEW BAR and GALEN WIN after the race did not show any significant findings. ENTHUSED and GRAND CRU were sent for sampling.