10/01/2009  Shatin  Race 6

Prior to leaving the saddling stalls, RED RULER had its left front plate reset. RED RULER was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. After arriving at the Start, B Prebble (RED RULER) expressed concern over the action of the horse. RED RULER was again examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. On jumping, MY WAY knuckled. AMAZING VENTURE was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, BOLD CHAMPION, HELENE ELITE and COVER BOY were steadied when crowded for room between ANIMATION which shifted out slightly and BE MY SONG (Apprentice M L Yeung) which got its head on the side and shifted in. Apprentice Yeung was told in similar circumstances he would be expected to make a greater effort to straighten his mount sooner than he did on this occasion. From a wide barrier on jumping, GALLANT WIN got its head up, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of WILD ACE. After this, GALLANT WIN was taken back. After the 1200 Metres, HELENE ELITE and COVER BOY, which was proving difficult to settle, raced tight when COVER BOY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ZABEEL TREASURE. Also after the 1200 Metres, BAJAN BELL was steadied when crowded for room between HOLD YOUR BOW and COVER BOY which when continuing to prove difficult to settle shifted out. Near the 900 Metres, COVER BOY, which was continuing to prove difficult to settle, was steadied when crowded for room between ZABEEL TREASURE and RED RULER. BAJAN BELL, which was following, was steadied in consequence, shifted out and carried MEDALLION wider on the track. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, ZABEEL TREASURE when being steadied away from the heels of MY WAY, got its head up, shifted out, bumped RED RULER and carried that horse wider. Throughout the race, WILD ACE travelled wide and without cover, at the 700 Metres became unbalanced and in the Straight hung out. At the 300 Metres, HELENE ELITE was steadied when crowded for room between WILD ACE which shifted wider on the track and AMAZING VENTURE which shifted in. The performance of HOLD YOUR BOW, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HOLD YOUR BOW will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. RED RULER and MY WAY were sent for sampling.