02/11/2008  Shatin  Race 3

As the start was effected, PACIFIC ALLIANCE became fractious and reared. Because of this, B Prebble removed his right hand from the rein and took hold of a partition in the barriers. As a consequence, PACIFIC ALLIANCE lost a considerable amount of ground. SIMPLY THE BEST, which was standing with its head turned to the left, began awkwardly, bounded in the air and lost ground. On jumping, ZEPHYRUS was bumped by GALAXY DANCER which shifted ground after being bumped by ENERGETIC BOY. DANEPRINT began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped SAMMY'S FORTUNE. Then despite being ridden along, DANEPRINT failed to muster speed. After the 1100 Metres, TRAVEL LEADER commenced to over-race, got its head up and shifted out away from the heels of SAMMY'S FORTUNE which commenced to lose ground. After this, when travelling wide and without cover, TRAVEL LEADER was allowed to stride forward. In the middle stages, PACIFIC ALLIANCE hung out. On straightening, DANEPRINT was steadied away from the heels of TRAVEL LEADER which commenced to give ground, then at the 350 Metres was again steadied when disappointed for running between TRAVEL LEADER and ZEPHYRUS. In the early part of the Straight, OCTAGONAL CANYON had difficulty obtaining clear running, near the 300 Metres was shifted out to go forward. At the 300 Metres, TRAVEL LEADER, which was continuing to give ground, was steadied away from the heels of PACIFIC ALLIANCE. At the 250 Metes, SPEED OF LIGHT was steadied when disappointed for running between OCTAGONAL CANYON and ROCKALOT. Throughout the race, ROCKALOT travelled wide and without cover. O Doleuze (NATURAL ECHO) explained approaching the 200 Metres he improved into narrow running on the inside of ENERGETIC BOY, then afterwards was awkwardly placed inside the heels of SIMPLY THE BEST. He said then once SIMPLY THE BEST improved its position to provide him with clear running, NATURAL ECHO did not respond to his riding. He said because of this over the concluding stages he eased NATURAL ECHO down. O Doleuze was reminded of his responsibility to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels to the winning post where circumstances permit. When questioned regarding the improved performance of GALAXY DANCER, Trainer K W Lui explained that in his opinion the horse was today suited when able to obtain an uncontested lead. He said when GALAXY DANCER raced first up this preparation, it lead in the early stages, however, PRIMIATA which had been racing in a three wide position improved and crossed to race outside GALAXY DANCER after passing the 1200 Metres. He said GALAXY DANCER maintained its position inside the heels of PRIMIATA until making the turn near the 600 Metres. He said after PRIMIATA crossed to the fence, that horse almost immediately commenced to give ground, causing GALAXY DANCER to be carried back through the field. He said following the race C K Tong advised him GALAXY DANCER did not appear comfortable racing in restricted room inside other runners. Mr Lui added there had been improvement in the track work of GALAXY DANCER between its first up run and today's race and based on this he had advised the owners of the horse that he believed it would perform well if the race was run to suit. E Saint-Martin (SAMMY'S FORTUNE) said his mount began satisfactorily, travelled only fairly in the early stages and because of this he did not place it under pressure, but rather he elected to balance his mount in the hope it would travel better than it was. He said SAMMY'S FORTUNE did not appear to be striding out properly for him and also made an abnormal breathing noise. He said he continued to be concerned with the manner in which SAMMY'S FORTUNE was travelling and because of this he did not ride his mount out from about the 800 Metres. Trainer A Schutz advised the Stewards that SAMMY'S FORTUNE had galloped last Friday morning, 31 October 2008 and when the horse cooled down after arriving back at the stable, it showed some tenderness in the left front foot. He said accordingly the shoe fitted to this foot was removed. He said on Saturday morning rather than work SAMMY'S FORTUNE on the track, he elected to swim the horse and to have it placed on the walker at the stable. He said SAMMY'S FORTUNE appeared sound and he therefore had the horse re-shod. He said SAMMY'S FORTUNE appeared normal in its action at this time and passed the pre-race veterinary inspection it was subjected to. He said he continued to be satisfied with SAMMY'S FORTUNE's soundness leading up to the race. SAMMY'S FORTUNE was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of SAMMY'S FORTUNE after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SAMMY'S FORTUNE was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SAMMY'S FORTUNE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. M Du Plessis (ENERGETIC BOY) explained he had been instructed from a wide barrier to ride his mount in a forward position if possible. He said it was pointed out to him that at its most recent start ENERGETIC BOY had raced without luck in the Home Straight when closing the race off strongly from a rearward position. He said it was felt today the race would be run at a slow tempo and that ENERGETIC BOY would not be suited if again ridden in a rearward position. He said because of this in the early stages he rode along and was able to cross and race outside the lead. He said ENERGETIC BOY travelled satisfactorily, however, prior to straightening came under pressure and did not respond to his riding. He said ENERGETIC BOY commenced to give ground near the 300 Metres. He said after the race he advised Mr A Schutz, trainer of the horse, that in his opinion ENERGETIC BOY was not suited being ridden in a forward position. Mr Schutz confirmed the instructions issued to M Du Plessis and the reasons for issuing those instructions. ENERGETIC BOY was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of ENERGETIC BOY after the race did not show any significant findings. CHINSOLA, GALAXY DANCER and ZEPHYRUS were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that ZEPHYRUS had lost its right front plate.