26/10/2008  Shatin  Race 5

ROYAL PERICLES began awkwardly and then despite being ridden along failed to muster speed. HURRICANE DASH was slow into stride. Shortly after the start, GUNNER MAC was steadied when crowded for room between ELEGANT WIN and BUNDLE O’ GOLD. Over the concluding stages, HIGH MARK hung in, approaching the winning post shifted ground and made contact with DOUBLE LUCK. As a consequence, Y T Cheng straightened his mount and did not ride it out to the end of the race as he normally would. D Whyte (ELEGANT WIN) was not able to offer any explanation for the poor performance of the horse. He said ELEGANT WIN did not travel at any stage of the race and was under pressure to maintain its position throughout. He said following the race ELEGANT WIN felt normal in its action and to him did not feel as though it was stretching out fully. WARRIOR and ELEGANT WIN were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of WARRIOR and ELEGANT WIN after the race did not show any significant findings. BUNDLE O’GOLD, GUNNER MAC and IRISH JIG were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that HIT SONG had lost its right front plate and ISLAND SPEED had sustained a cut to the right hind coronet.