25/05/2008  Shatin  Race 11

FAIR WIN was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore). Before being allowed to race again, FAIR WIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After arriving at the Start, B Prebble expressed concern over the action of NORTH HILL during the preliminary. NORTH HILL was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. ENCHANTED bounded in the air at the start. SUPER BABY began awkwardly and lost ground. Near the 1100 Metres, ENCHANTED, which was proving difficult to settle, was steadied to avoid the heels of BRILLIANT CHAPTER which was carried in by WINBO which shifted ground when barely clear. CHINA WIN, which was following, was steadied to avoid the heels of ENCHANTED. Approaching the turn at the 800 Metres, NORTH HILL was unable to maintain its position on the inside of BRILLIANT CHAPTER. In the early and middle stages, FERRO BEAU proved difficult to settle when racing wide and without cover. At the 500 Metres, CHINA WIN was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of ENCHANTED. On straightening, CHINA WIN was steadied when crowded for room between ENCHANTED and PACHINKO which shifted out. At the 300 Metres, CALIFORNIA LUCK was steadied when disappointed for running between BRILLIANT CHAPTER and WINBO. After the 200 Metres, SUPER BABY hung in and proved difficult to ride. D Beadman (WIN AGAIN) explained from an awkward barrier he had been instructed to endeavour to have the horse travel with cover so it would relax. He said he therefore allowed FERRO BEAU which was travelling keenly on his outside to go forward of him approaching the 1000 Metres to ensure he obtained a position with cover. He said as a consequence WIN AGAIN travelled a little further back than intended and then when FERRO BEAU shifted in making the turn at the 800 Metres was left racing without cover. He said WIN AGAIN hung out after the 800 Metres and in the Straight the horse finished the race off fairly. When questioned, Y T Cheng (CHINA WIN) said from the outside barrier he had been instructed to ride the horse in a position with cover if possible and it was hoped the horse would travel in a midfield position. He said on jumping he realized a number of runners to his inside were being ridden along to go forward and therefore he elected to steady his mount to ensure it obtained a position with cover. He said as a consequence CHINA WIN raced with the rear and was further back than intended. He said CHINA WIN travelled comfortably throughout the run and in the early part of the Straight despite having some difficulty commenced to close the race off nicely until after the 200 Metres when he was obliged to steady and shift in away from the heels of ENCHANTED which was giving ground. He said CHINA WIN again commenced to make ground until the final 50 Metres when he was not able to obtain clear running and he therefore did not ride the horse out to the end of the race as he normally would. FERRO BEAU, CHINA WIN and ENCHANTED were sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, FERRO BEAU was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, FERRO BEAU will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of CHINA WIN and ENCHANTED after the race did not show any significant findings. MASCOT FORTUNE, CAGA BOY and SUPER BABY were sent for sampling.