26/10/2008  Shatin  Race 3

At declaration time, K L Chui was declared as the rider of both FOREST STAR and NAMJONG GOODLUCK. It was established that K L Chui had a firm commitment to ride NAMJONG GOODLUCK. As such, the Stewards permitted G Mossé to be substituted as the rider of FOREST STAR. K L Chui was fined $2000 for this declaration error. WINFINDER was withdrawn on 24.10.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (laceration to left hind cannon) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter PEARL HALO (C K Tong). Before being allowed to race again, WINFINDER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. METRO RIDER and PRECISION MAGIC began awkwardly. In the early stages, NAMJONG GOODLUCK was taken back. Approaching the turn at the 800 Metres, NATIONAL GLORY was held wide by PEARL HALO which at this time was being taken back to a position behind METRO RIDER. Near the 700 Metres, NEW TRIUMPH was checked and SUNRISE checked severely when crowded for room inside METRO RIDER (W C Marwing) which after initially being carried in slightly by NATIONAL GLORY (D Whyte) then shifted in further away from that horse. Several runners were inconvenienced in consequence, the main sufferers being BIG WINNER AGAIN and GOOD TIME CHARLIE, both of which were checked, FOREST STAR which was steadied and PEARL HALO which was carried wider. PRECISION MAGIC was also checked to avoid the heels of FOREST STAR when that horse was steadied. While the incident was one of some significance, the Stewards did not believe it was appropriate in the circumstances that action be taken against any rider, however, W C Marwing and D Whyte were advised to ensure they allow comfortable racing room to runners to their inside. At the 600 Metres, PACHINKO was checked to avoid the heels of BIG WINNER AGAIN which was steadied away from the heels of SUNRISE. Shortly after this, FOREST STAR was checked when awkwardly placed between NEW TRIUMPH and SUNRISE (B Prebble) which shifted in momentarily. B Prebble was told to exercise greater care. Prior to straightening, METRO RIDER was bumped by NATIONAL GLORY which shifted in. In the early part of the Straight, PACHINKO was steadied and shifted wider to obtain clear running. After the 400 Metres, Apprentice K C Leung (NEW TRIUMPH) dropped his whip. As Apprentice Leung had dropped his whip in successive races, he was told he must take measures to endeavour to prevent a repetition. At the 100 Metres, DIDI had difficulty obtaining clear running inside MEGABUCKS. On the winning post, SUNRISE was bumped by PRECISION MAGIC which shifted out. When questioned regarding the improved performance of DIDI, Trainer D Cruz explained the horse has been very immature since arriving in Hong Kong and has shown itself to be a very nervous type. He said there was improvement between DIDI’s first career race start and its second career start, however, on that occasion the horse from a wide barrier travelled wide throughout, hung out making the turns and in the Straight gave ground. He said after DIDI’s last start he removed the hood from the horse and also altered the bit in which it raced. He said DIDI had shown him further improvement in its track work and had performed well in a barrier trial on 14 October 2008. He said today DIDI had drawn barrier 1 and as the horse had shown itself to have pace, he was confident the horse would obtain a favourable position in the run. He said based on the horse’s improvement in its track work and from a more favourable barrier, DIDI was given a good chance by the stable in today’s race. He added in his opinion DIDI appeared more settled prior to the race today which would have been to the horse’s advantage. NATIONAL GLORY, DIDI and MEGABUCKS were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that PACHINKO had lost its right front plate.