01/02/2009  Shatin  Race 4

SPY KING was withdrawn on 31.1.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter TRIUMPHANT GLORY (J Victoire). Before being allowed to race again, SPY KING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MASTER MASTER was slow to begin. In the early stages, BAYVIEW GREYSLEW proved difficult to settle. Also in the early stages, SO NICE was taken back, then making the Home Turn was carried wider by AURELIAN which shifted out into clear running. After the 1200 Metres, PLEASURE PLEASURE got its head up and proved difficult to settle when being steadied to allow HOT SUN to cross. In the middle stages, PLEASURE PLEASURE continued to prove difficult to settle. Throughout the race, KING OF TURF travelled wide and without cover and making the turn at the 800 Metres hung in. At the 350 Metres, ENERGETIC BOY was checked when disappointed for running between WINNING AHEAD (K T Yeung) which shifted out and MASTER MASTER which when improving towards the inside of KING OF TURF which was giving ground got its head on the side and shifted in away from that horse. In the circumstances, K T Yeung was severely reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. Near the 200 Metres, MOONGLOW and SIMPLY JOY bumped as MOONGLOW improved into a narrow run on the outside of HAPPY SUNDAY. At the 200 Metres, J Winks (HAPPY SUNDAY) had the whip knocked from his hand by the whip of C K Tong (HOT SUN). Passing the 100 Metres, BAYVIEW GREYSLEW was steadied when crowded for room between SO NICE and AURELIAN which was carried out by TRIUMPHANT GLORY which shifted out away from the heels of MEDALLION which shifted wider. When questioned, Apprentice K C Leung (MEDALLION) said he had been instructed from a wide barrier to endeavour to ride his mount in a position in front of midfield with cover if possible. He said MEDALLION began only fairly, then took time to muster speed. He said near the 1300 Metres he steadied away from the heels of SIMPLY JOY and as a consequence lost ground. He said after this MEDALLION travelled wide on the track and he allowed his mount to go forward in accordance with his instructions. He said approaching the turn at the 800 Metres MEDALLION got its head up and hung out which it continued to do until after straightening. He said after straightening MEDALLION initially shifted in when placed under pressure. He said after the 400 Metres for a short distance he dropped his left rein which he regained a short distance later. He said MEDALLION kept on fairly afterwards. He said when he was riding MEDALLION out, he dropped his right rein for a short distance near the 200 Metres and the horse shifted in. He said he also regained this rein within a short distance. WINNING AHEAD was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of WINNING AHEAD after the race did not show any significant findings. MOONGLOW and ENERGETIC BOY were sent for sampling.