08/02/2009  Shatin  Race 5

VISIONARIO began awkwardly and then shortly after the start became unbalanced after being bumped on the shoulder by STEEL NERVES which was carried out by FANTASTIC TIME. JOY TRUMPS was slow to begin. On jumping, OCEAN PRINCE was taken back to a position with cover. BAJAN BELL began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped CHIEF WITNESS. BAJAN BELL was then steadied and taken back. From a wide barrier in the early stages, VICTORY MASCOT was taken back, then in the Home Straight hung in and near the 200 Metres shifted ground towards BAJAN BELL. Because of this, C K Tong stopped riding and straightened his mount. VICTORY MASCOT continued to hang in in the run to the line. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, OCEAN PRINCE was left racing wide and without cover. At the 500 Metres, OCEAN PRINCE was steadied away from the heels of MIGHTY WINNER which shifted out into clear running. Also at the 500 Metres, VISIONARIO was checked and shifted out away from the heels of SHAXI BABY which commenced to give ground and finished tailed out. The performance of SHAXI BABY was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SHAXI BABY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CHIEF WITNESS hung out making the Home Turn. When questioned regarding the poor performance of MIGHTY WINNER, D Beadman said he rode his mount which was racing in side winkers for the first time today a little more aggressively in the early stages than is usual. He said approaching the turn at the 800 Metres when he steadied MIGHTY WINNER which was racing in a three wide position in an endeavour to shift in and follow SHAXI BABY with cover, his mount over-raced. He said after obtaining the position behind SHAXI BABY, MIGHTY WINNER then relaxed. He said when it became apparent to him that SHAXI BABY was not going to carry him forward, he shortly after the 600 Metres shifted out to improve his position around that horse. He said when he did this MIGHTY WINNER did not respond to his riding as he had anticipated. He said in the Straight MIGHTY WINNER kept on one-paced. He said at the 200 Metres MIGHT WINNER got its head on the side and commenced to hang in. EASY WIN, SHAXI BABY and VISIONARIO were sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, EASY WIN was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. A veterinary inspection of SHAXI BABY after the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, VISIONARIO was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, VISIONARIO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MIGHTY WINNER, SUNRISE and STEEL NERVES were sent for sampling.