29/10/2008  Shatin  Race 6

CHATER DE LAGO was very difficult to load which resulted in a considerable delay to the start. Before being allowed to race again, CHATER DE LAGO will have to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. On jumping, CARE FREE MIDAS lost ground after bumping with PUERTO RICO. SIR LAGO began awkwardly, shifted out, bumped LUCKY MONEY STAR and as a consequence lost ground. From a wide barrier, SPRING SMILES was taken across behind runners. After the 1400 Metres, COULDN'T CARE LESS was steadied when awkwardly placed between CARE FREE MIDAS and NIGHT HUNTER III which got its head on the side and commenced to hang in. After this, NIGHT HUNTER III raced wide and without cover, continued to hang in and in the Straight gave ground. NIGHT HUNTER III was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of NIGHT HUNTER III after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of NIGHT HUNTER III, which tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, NIGHT HUNTER III will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the 1000 Metres, COULDN'T CARE LESS was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the winning post, SPRING SMILES hung in, shifted ground and raced tight outside HAPPY ALL AROUND. Because of this, SPRING SMILES was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. Prior to the winning post, BREAKING POINT and LUCKY MONEY STAR brushed. The performance of SIR LAGO, which also finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SIR LAGO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, Mr C Fownes, the trainer of the winner, BREAKING POINT, said in his opinion the horses' two prior performances this season when racing on the turf track were reasonable runs. He said after its last start BREAKING POINT then trialed nicely on 10 October 2008 on the All Weather Track when wearing blinkers. He said because of this trial he decided to add pacifier with cowls to the horse's gear for tonight's race which was BREAKING POINT's first start on the All Weather surface. Mr Fownes said BREAKING POINT is an immature type, however, is improving with racing. He did say while he believes BREAKING POINT is well suited racing on the All Weather surface, he does think the horse will be effective when racing on the turf. He said he was concerned with the wide draw of BREAKING POINT tonight and did not issue D Beadman with firm riding instructions, however, did say to him to allow the horse to begin and obtain the best position in the run that he was able to. He said he offered the ride on BREAKING POINT to O Doleuze who had ridden the horse at its two most recent starts, however, he did not accept the offer. When questioned, D Whyte (CARE FREE MIDAS) said his horse is not a reliable beginner and tonight began awkwardly and bumped heavily with PUERTO RICO. He said as a consequence CARE FREE MIDAS lost ground, then despite being ridden along failed to muster speed. He said CARE FREE MIDAS travelled only fairly in a position behind midfield and did not respond to his riding when placed under pressure. He said CARE FREE MIDAS in his opinion raced “flat” tonight and he had advised the trainer accordingly. CARE FREE MIDAS was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of CARE FREE MIDAS after the race did not show any significant findings. SUNNY SMILES, BREAKING POINT and LUCKY MONEY STAR were sent for sampling.