08/02/2009  Shatin  Race 6

MEGA BULLET began awkwardly and was then checked when crowded for room between DIAMOND PRINCE and BRAVE SPIRIT, both of which shifted ground. HELENE ELITE began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped MY WAY. GRAND GENERAL began awkwardly. On jumping, FOREST FOUNTAIN was taken back from the outside barrier. Near the 800 Metres, BRAVE SPIRIT was crowded for room inside GRAND GENERAL which became unbalanced and shifted in when awkwardly placed inside the heels of SUNNY SMILES which shifted in momentarily. Commencing to make the turn at the 800 Metres, GRAND GENERAL was steadied away from the heels of SUNNY SMILES which shifted in momentarily. When SUNNY SMILES was being straightened, it shifted out and as a result SUPER was steadied to avoid the heels of SUNNY SMILES. SUPER failed to make the turn at the 800 Metres, got its head up and ran to the outside fence. After this, SUPER was eased out of the race and finished distanced. Having in mind the manner in which SUPER performed in this race and also its prior record of hanging out in races, the Stewards advised Mr C W Chang, the trainer of the horse, that it will be required to perform to their satisfaction in a series of official barrier trials around a bend before being permitted to race again. On straightening, STAY YOUNG and MY WAY bumped as MY WAY shifted in slightly and STAY YOUNG was endeavouring to shift out to obtain clear running. No action was taken. In the early part of the Straight, BRAVE SPIRIT had some difficulty obtaining clear running. When questioned regarding the poor performance of MY WAY which was stepping up in distance to 1600 Metres for the first time today, C Soumillon said he rode his mount in a forward position with cover as instructed. He said despite the tempo of the race being good, MY WAY did not relax in the run. He said on straightening after bumping with STAY YOUNG, MY WAY failed to respond to his riding and after the 300 Metres commenced to give ground. He said in his opinion the poor performance of MY WAY was due to it not relaxing in a solidly run race and as a consequence failing to run out the distance of today’s race at its first time of asking. MY WAY, SUPER, STAY YOUNG and HELENE ELITE were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of MY WAY, SUPER and HELENE ELITE after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, STAY YOUNG was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said the horse was lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, STAY YOUNG will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. AMAZING JOURNEY and MEGA BULLET were sent for sampling.