08/11/2008  Shatin  Race 8

SOUTH DAKOTA was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, SOUTH DAKOTA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TREASURE RAIDERS was slow to begin. BOUNCER began awkwardly. SOHNA began awkwardly, got its head up and was then crowded for room between VICTORY STYLE and MANY GAINS. Shortly after the start, CHIRAC, which was being taken back, was checked when crowded for room between CIRCUIT HERO and BOUNCER which shifted out. After this, CHIRAC was taken across behind runners. At the 1300 Metres, SOHNA was steadied when crowded for room between TREASURE RAIDERS and BOUNCER which when being ridden along to improve its position was taken in momentarily by VICTORY STYLE. VICTORY STYLE was then bumped by BOUNCER as that horse was shifted out to relieve the crowding to its inside. At the 1000 Metres, TREASURE RAIDERS, which was proving difficult to settle, became unbalanced when steadied away from the heels of STORMIN JOBURG. At the 200 Metres, DANABAA shifted out and was steadied away from the heels of WINE WIN which was giving ground. For the major part of Home Straight, CHINA HERO had difficulty obtaining clear running. Because of this, CHINA HERO was not fully tested. Throughout the race, DEERFIELD travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the improved performance of BOUNCER, Trainer C Fownes explained the horse had disappointed with its first up performance this season. He said BOUNCER was fancied going into that race. He said following the race B Prebble who rode BOUNCER expressed to him that the horse in his opinion felt short in its action and did not race truly. Mr Fownes said in the days following the race while BOUNCER was not noticeably sore, he identified a problem with its left front fetlock. He said this joint has been managed by veterinary treatment subsequently to ensure the horse was able to stride out fully. He said in addition he barrier trialed BOUNCER on two occasions prior to today’s race to ensure all was well with the horse and he added blinkers to the gear of the horse. He said in his opinion these matters accounted for the horse’s improved performance today. Apprentice K C Leung (SOHNA) explained rounding the Home Turn he remained racing on the rail as he felt the horse he was following, TREASURE RAIDERS, would quicken and he would follow that horse through. He said he did not obtain clear running as anticipated towards his inside and therefore approaching the 200 Metres directed his mount wider on the track. He said because of this he was not able to ride SOHNA out from on straightening until after the 200 Metres. He said once in clear running SOHNA finished the race off strongly. Apprentice Leung was told to ensure he does his utmost at all times to provide his mounts with clear running. VICTORY STYLE and DEERFIELD were sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, VICTORY STYLE was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. A veterinary inspection of DEERFIELD after the race did not show any significant findings. MANY GAINS, BOUNCER and TREASURE RAIDERS were sent for sampling. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on CIRCUIT HERO at the request of Trainer A T Millard. The Veterinary Officer said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, CIRCUIT HERO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.