20/12/2008  Shatin  Race 6

MEDALLION was withdrawn on 19.12.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore left fore cannon) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter REAL PLEASURE (Apprentice M L Yeung). Before being allowed to race again, MEDALLION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After being boxed, TELECOM GOGO became fractious, reared, was caught over the outside partition of the stall and then when being removed from its stall reared over. TELECOM GOGO was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, TELECOM GOGO was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, TELECOM GOGO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. AMBITIOUS OWNER, which had drawn in the stall outside TELECOM GOGO, was removed from its stall and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. GOLDEN BOY was slow to begin, then trailed the field throughout. The performance of GOLDEN BOY, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GOLDEN BOY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. NEW IDEA began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped CONQUEROR. After the 1200 Metres, CONQUEROR was steadied when crowded for room between NEW IDEA which shifted out slightly and PALAIS D'OR which shifted in. No action was taken. Approaching the 1000 Metres, DRAGON EYE, which was proving difficult to settle, got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of ELECTRONIC MASTER. Approaching the turn at the 800 Metres, NEW IDEA became unbalanced when racing tight inside PALAIS D'OR. Near the 800 Metres, NEW IDEA was checked when crowded for room inside PALAIS D'OR which got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider, E Saint-Martin. In the circumstances, no action was taken. In the middle stages, AMBITIOUS OWNER hung out. Shortly after straightening, REAL PLEASURE was carried wider by DRAGON EYE which was steadied and shifted to the outside of ELECTRONIC MASTER to go forward. When questioned W M Lai (WADADELIGHT) said he had been instructed to ride the horse with cover and save it to make its run in the Home Straight. He said when WADADELIGHT last raced on turf it was over the same course and distance and the horse also began from barrier 9 as it did today. He said on that occasion WADADELIGHT travelled without cover in a forward position and gave ground in the Home Straight to finish distanced. He said on that occasion WADADELIGHT did not relax and it was thought the manner in which the horse raced accounted for its performance. He said it was therefore decided today it would be in the horse’s best interest to ensure it had cover. He said after beginning well he was concerned if he allowed WADADELIGHT to go forward, he would be left racing without cover again and he therefore took hold of his mount and took it back to the rear to ensure it obtained cover. He said WADADELIGHT travelled comfortably in the run, was placed under pressure on straightening and whilst it did make some ground in the Straight it closed the race off only fairly. He said he was aware today’s track appeared to be favouring horses racing in forward positions, however, it was considered, having in mind WADADELIGHT’S most recent start on turf, that regardless of this the horse needed to be ridden with cover. PALAIS D'OR and AMBITIOUS OWNER were sent for sampling.