18/01/2009  Shatin  Race 4

HOLIGAN was withdrawn on 17.1.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (right fore tendon injury) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter VILLAGE KID (Apprentice T H So). Before being allowed to race again, HOLIGAN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. As the gates opened, GALLANT MASTER lifted its front feet off the ground and as a consequence lost ground. SEA PRINCE began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of DANABAA. Near the 1500 Metres, DANABAA (Apprentice K C Leung), which had been shifted across in the lead abruptly, became unbalanced when being straightened. Apprentice Leung was told he must not shift his mounts in at such an acute angle in future. On straightening, SEA PRINCE became unbalanced after being bumped on its hindquarters by WIN MORE which endeavoured to shift to the outside of DANABAA. In this incident, WIN MORE also became unbalanced. Shortly after straightening, SUPER was steadied away from the heels of KING OF SHAVER. For a short distance near the 200 Metres, DILIGENT II had difficulty obtaining clear running. For the majority of the Home Straight, WIN MORE raced in restricted room. Throughout the race, CHAMPION PIONEER travelled wide and without cover. Apprentice T H So explained on straightening he initially considered improving his position to the inside of DILIGENT II, however, when that horse commenced to shift in he elected to steady his mount and shift out in an endeavour to obtain clear running. He said he commenced to ride VILLAGE KID along hands and heels and the horse responded fairly. He said after the 300 Metres he continued to ride his mount along ensuring it was properly balanced, then over the concluding stages VILLAGE KID closed the race off strongly. B Prebble (MAJESTIC HEART) reported his mount was standing badly with its head turned to the left as the start was effected. He said as a consequence MAJESTIC HEART began awkwardly, lost ground and travelled further back in the field than intended. MAJESTIC HEART was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. After the race, MAJESTIC HEART was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. LIVERBIRD was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of LIVERBIRD after the race did not show any significant findings. SUPER and DILIGENT II were sent for sampling.