28/12/2008  Shatin  Race 5

KING OF SHAVER was withdrawn on 25.12.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter FOREVER RICHES (Apprentice M L Yeung). Before being allowed to race again, KING OF SHAVER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MY SMARTIE was a little slow to begin and was then crowded for room between CLASSIC KING and PEARL HALO which on jumping shifted in. After this, despite being ridden along, MY SMARTIE failed to muster speed. CLOVIS began awkwardly and was then bumped by FOREVER RICHES which shifted in. As a result of this, CLOVIS became unbalanced, shifted in and bumped GALLANT MASTER, causing both GALLANT MASTER and CLOVIS to lose ground. HELENE ELITE was slow to begin. For a considerable distance after straightening, HEIMORI was held up and unable to obtain clear running. Near the 300 Metres, CLASSIC KING, which was commencing to give ground, was checked when crowded for room between CHAMPION PIONEER which shifted in and HEIMORI which was shifting towards the outside of PEARL HALO to obtain clear running. In the circumstances, no action was taken. After the 200 Metres, CHAMPION PIONEER, which was hanging out, shifted ground and was checked to avoid the heels of CLOVIS which shifted in. In the circumstances, no action was taken. For the major part of the race, CLASSIC KING travelled wide and without cover. M W Leung (NATURAL FATCHOY) explained he had been instructed to take his mount back from a wide barrier and endeavour to have it finish the race off. He said he had been told NATURAL FATCHOY had disappointed the stable in recent starts when travelling in a forward position. Y T Cheng (GALLANT MASTER) said he had been instructed to ride his mount in 5th or 6th position with cover if possible, however, it would be acceptable for the horse to go forward if the pace of the race was slow in the early stages. He said in the early stages he rode GALLANT MASTER to go forward and obtain a position with cover. He said as he felt the tempo of the race was only moderate, he then elected to allow GALLANT MASTER to travel into a forward position. HEIMORI was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. MY SMARTIE and GALLANT MASTER were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of HEIMORI and GALLANT MASTER after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, MY SMARTIE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse had bled from both nostrils. SOARING DRAGON and KOWLOON FIT were sent for sampling. Following the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that FOREVER RICHES had sustained a cut to its right hind leg. Before being allowed to race again, FOREVER RICHES will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also following the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on PEARL HALO at the request of Trainer P O'Sullivan. The Veterinary Officer said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, PEARL HALO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.