23/11/2008  Shatin  Race 11

After being boxed, ROYAL PUMPKIN became fractious, reared and dislodged O Doleuze, its rider. ROYAL PUMPKIN was slow to begin and then in the Straight hung in and proved difficult to ride. In the early stages, LEGEND OF COLOUR was taken back from a wide barrier. Near the 1100 Metres, EIGHT PLUS NINE, which was proving difficult to settle, was steadied away from the heels of PLAN B which was carried in slightly by WADADELIGHT. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, LEGEND OF COLOUR, which had been bumping with EIGHT PLUS NINE, was checked after shifting out and making contact with the hindquarters of GOOD DISHES, resulting in that horse shifting in. In the circumstances, no action was taken. At the 350 Metres, LEGEND OF COLOUR was steadied and shifted out to obtain clear running. At the 300 Metres, BUTTERFIELD was steadied and shifted out to obtain clear running. Near the 100 Metres, K L Chui (DREAM TEAM) dropped his whip. Throughout the race, FLY ME TO THE MOON travelled wide and without cover. D Beadman (CHAMPION LAD) said he had not been issued with any firm riding instructions except to ride the horse how it felt. He said CHAMPION LAD began satisfactorily, he immediately noticed several runners to his inside were going forward, so he endeavoured to steady in the hope of obtaining a position with cover around midfield. He said as the field was bunched approaching the 1200 Metres, he elected to come back further and follow GOOD DISHES in a three wide position with cover. He said in the Straight CHAMPION LAD closed the race off strongly. W M Lai (WADADELIGHT) explained after the 300 Metres his mount, which is well-known to him, commenced to give ground quickly. He said as he was of the opinion something might have been amiss with the horse, he eased it down. WADADELIGHT was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of WADADELIGHT after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, WADADELIGHT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GOOD DISHES and FLY ME TO THE MOON were sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, GOOD DISHES was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said GOOD DISHES was making an abnormal breathing noise and an endoscopic examination confirmed the horse to be a "roarer". A veterinary inspection of FLY ME TO THE MOON after the race did not show any significant findings. NAMJONG HUNTER, PLAN B and EIGHT PLUS NINE were sent for sampling.