01/01/2009  Shatin  Race 2

GLOBAL WAY and DANEPRINT were slow to begin. ME THE BEST was a little slow to begin and shortly afterwards bumped with FANTASTIC TIME. ME THE BEST then lost further ground when awkwardly placed outside FANTASTIC TIME and inside the heels of ACTIVE VALOUR. Shortly after the start, VITALITY CHAMP, which from the outside barrier was travelling wide on the track, was taken back. In the early stages, NEW ASIA FORWARD was taken back from a wide barrier and then in the early and middle stages travelled wide and without cover. After the 1200 Metres, NOT QUITE PERFECT, which was racing wide and without cover, was steadied and taken back, however, was unable to obtain cover and continued to travel wide for the remainder of the race. Near the 1000 Metres, FILEBO and MYTHIC STEED bumped on several occasions. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, MYTHIC STEED was not able to maintain its position between FILEBO and FANTASTIC TIME (B Prebble) which shifted in when barely clear. When MYTHIC STEED lost ground, inconvenience was caused in consequence to WINNING AHEAD which got its head on the side, shifted out and caused crowding to ACCELERATOR which became unbalanced and lost ground. Also ME THE BEST, ACTIVE VALOUR and VITALITY CHAMP, which were following, were hampered in consequence. B Prebble was told to exercise greater care. In the middle stages and in the Home Straight, HOT SUN hung out. From shortly after the 400 Metres until near the 200 Metres, ACCELERATOR was held up and unable to obtain clear running when racing behind GLOBAL WAY which was giving ground. At the 250 Metres, FILEBO, which had been held up and unable to improve from shortly after straightening, was checked when disappointed for running between SOUND OF SILENCE which was giving ground and MYTHIC STEED which was carried in slightly by NOT QUITE PERFECT which shifted ground while hanging. No action was taken. After the 50 Metres, MYTHIC STEED was bumped and carried wider by WINNING AHEAD which got its head on the side and shifted out. SOUND OF SILENCE was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, SOUND OF SILENCE was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, SOUND OF SILENCE will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FANTASTIC TIME and HOT SUN were sent for sampling.