28/06/2008  Shatin  Race 1

FAST GO was slow to begin, then lost further ground when crowded for room between MY SMARTIE and TOUCH MORE. GALAXEE began awkwardly. LUFENG FORTUNE was slow to begin, then in the early and middle stages when proving difficult to settle raced greenly and on a number of occasions got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of STAR OF CHIU TON. In the early stages, TOUCH MORE proved difficult to settle and near the 1200 Metres was steadied away from the heels of runners in front. After the 1200 Metres, SPEED AND GOLD was steadied when awkwardly placed between LUFENG FORTUNE and CLASSIC ENERGY which was awkward when close to the heels of BIG WINNER AGAIN. Near the 1100 Metres, STAR OF CHIU TON and SPEED AND GOLD were crowded for room inside CLASSIC ENERGY which when being steadied got its head up and shifted in abruptly. Near the 800 Metres, SPEEDY STAR was left racing wide and without cover. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, BIG PROFIT was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of SEIZE THE DAY. Approaching the 100 Metres, GALAXEE, which was closing the race off strongly, was inconvenienced and carried in by SEIZE THE DAY which shifted in abruptly after being steadied away from the heels of SPEEDY STAR which when giving ground got its head on the side and hung in. When questioned regarding the poor performance of FAT CHOY ICHIBAN, C W Wong said the intention was to have the horse ridden in a forward position. He said on jumping he rode FAT CHOY ICHIBAN along, however, the horse failed to muster speed. He said FAT CHOY ICHIBAN did not travel comfortably for the major part of the race and in the Straight closed the race off fairly. He said in his opinion FAT CHOY ICHIBAN did not handle today’s wet track. FAT CHOY ICHIBAN was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. SEIZE THE DAY and TOUCH MORE were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of FAT CHOY ICHIBAN, SEIZE THE DAY and TOUCH MORE after the race did not show any significant findings. MY SMARTIE and LUFENG FORTUNE were sent for sampling. After the race, it was reported MY SMARTIE had spread its left front plate. Following the race, the Veterinary Officer reported FAST GO was making an abnormal breathing noise. He said an endoscopic examination showed the horse to be a “roarer”.