28/06/2008  Shatin  Race 2

SMART CURRENCY was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind foot). Before being allowed to race again, SMART CURRENCY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Whilst in the saddling stalls, an adjustment was made to the right front plate of REAL PLEASURE. REAL PLEASURE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Whilst being saddled, BE MY SONG lost its left front plate. BE MY SONG was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse had sustained a puncture wound to the left front foot and in his opinion was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of BE MY SONG. Before being allowed to race again, BE MY SONG will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ATTENTIVE RUNNER was slow to begin. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, OPTIC KING failed to muster speed. After the 200 Metres, NEW TRIUMPH was shifted in away from the heels of TAKE IT EASY, then after the 100 Metres was again shifted in away from the heels of KEEN FLYER. Z Purton (SCOOT DA LOOT) explained he had been asked to ride the horse in a midfield position. He said in the past SCOOT DA LOOT has on occasions begun badly and travelled near the rear. He said today SCOOT DA LOOT began better than was anticipated and he then decided to allow the horse to travel in a more forward position than had been intended. He said he did not have to make excessive use of SCOOT DA LOOT to be in a forward position, the horse travelled comfortably, however, did hang out over the final 400 Metres. B Prebble (WASABISABI) explained his mount is an excitable type and after being boxed became fractious, lunged forward in its stall, then sat back and leant to the right hand side. He said as a consequence of this WASABISABI was slow to begin. He said he then allowed WASABISABI to become balanced and then gradually improved his position, but did travel further back than was intended. He said WASABISABI travelled fairly in the run, however, when placed under pressure near the 400 Metres did not respond as he thought it would and in his opinion may not have handled today’s track conditions. WASABISABI, LUCKY RED and SCOOT DA LOOT were sent for sampling. After the race, it was reported TAKE IT EASY had lost its left front plate and KEEN FLYER had lost both its front plates.