26/10/2008  Shatin  Race 4

SEVENS HEAVEN was withdrawn on 24.10.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter MYTHIC STEED (P H Lo). Before being allowed to race again, SEVENS HEAVEN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Before being permitted to race again, MYSTERIOUS, which was difficult to load, will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. MYSTERIOUS was slow to begin and then lost further ground when bumped by FAIR WIN which shifted in. MORE BOUNTIFUL began awkwardly. On jumping, VILLAGE KID was crowded for room between AMAZING JOURNEY and VANQUISH DELIGHT which began awkwardly and shifted out. Also on jumping, OSCAR PRINCE and MYTHIC STEED bumped. As a result of this, OSCAR PRINCE then shifted in and bumped SUPER GENKI which in turn shifted ground and caused crowding on its inside to LITTLE BIG BOY. After this incident, SUPER GENKI, LITTLE BIG BOY and OSCAR PRINCE were taken back. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, FAIR WIN failed to muster speed. At the 1100 Metres, FAIR WIN was steadied away from the heels of THE ONLY KID which was steadied away from the heels of MORE BOUNTIFUL which shifted in when barely clear. After this, THE ONLY KID proved difficult to settle. Near the 700 Metres, MYSTERIOUS was steadied away from the heels of FAIR WIN which when being steadied away from the heels of THE ONLY KID got its head on the side and shifted in momentarily. Near the 500 Metres, LITTLE BIG BOY jumped a mark on the track. In the early part of the Straight, THE ONLY KID and MORE BOUNTIFUL raced tight. At the 350 Metres, PERFECT SMILE broke down and was eased out of the race. Over the concluding stages, MORE BOUNTIFUL hung out. For the major part of the race, VILLAGE KID travelled wide and without cover. FAIR WIN and VANQUISH DELIGHT were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of FAIR WIN and VANQUISH DELIGHT after the race did not show any significant findings. MORE BOUNTIFUL and THE ONLY KID were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that MYTHIC STEED had sustained a laceration to the heel of its right front leg.