22/02/2009  Shatin  Race 4

Shortly after the start, SUPER BOBO and SO NICE were crowded for room between CELESTIAL WONDER which shifted out and MONTY which was initially carried in by MAGI JOY and then shifted further of its own accord. In this incident, CELESTIAL WONDER became unbalanced behind after being bumped on the hindquarters by SUPER BOBO. In the early and middle stages, SO NICE proved difficult to settle and hung out and at the 1200 Metres got its head up, shifted out and caused inconvenience to MONTY when being steadied away from the heels of SOUND OF SILENCE. Approaching the turn at the 800 Metres, SUPER BOBO and SOUND OF SILENCE bumped and became unbalanced after being momentarily crowded for room inside MAGI JOY which shifted in. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, MAGI JOY was left racing wide and without cover. After the 800 Metres, SO NICE, which was continuing to prove difficult to settle, was checked away from the heels of SOUND OF SILENCE. At the 600 Metres, MAGI JOY was bumped and carried wider by CELESTIAL WONDER which endeavoured to shift to the outside of NOT QUITE PERFECT. For some distance after the 300 Metres, SO NICE had difficulty obtaining clear running. The performance of SOUND OF SILENCE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SOUND OF SILENCE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the improved performance of DAYLIGHT EXPRESS, Trainer C H Yip explained at its most recent start on the All Weather surface DAYLIGHT EXPRESS travelled keenly without cover from its wide barrier and in the middle stages hung out noticeably. He said as a consequence DAYLIGHT EXPRESS was disappointing and gave ground in the Straight. He said two race starts ago on the turf DAYLIGHT EXPRESS had performed well. He said today returning to the turf DAYLIGHT EXPRESS had again drawn a wide barrier and he instructed W C Marwing, the horse’s rider, to switch the horse off on jumping, endeavour to obtain a position on the rail with cover and ensure it relaxed. He said today DAYLIGHT EXPRESS had a better run throughout the race and relaxed and as a consequence was able to finish the race off. Mr Yip was told his explanation would be reported. When questioned regarding the poor performance of MONTY, Z Purton said his mount was crowded for room on jumping, he then shifted across to race in a three wide position as in the past the horse had shown it was best suited when given comfortable racing room. He said throughout the run he had cover and MONTY travelled comfortably for him. He said on straightening he shifted MONTY to the outside of MAGI JOY. He said MONTY failed to respond to his riding when placed under pressure and was disappointing in the manner in which it closed the race off. He said after the 200 Metres he hit MONTY with the whip and when the horse was well beaten and failed to respond, he did not persevere in riding his mount out. MONTY was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of MONTY after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MONTY, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MONTY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. B Prebble (NOT QUITE PERFECT) said near the 100 Metres his mount became unbalanced in its action when SIMPLY JOY improved on his outside. He said when this occurred NOT QUITE PERFECT lost momentum and he felt something might have been amiss with the horse, he therefore stopped riding his mount out in an endeavour to have it re-balanced. He said in the run to the line NOT QUITE PERFECT continued to give ground. He said he was concerned with the action of NOT QUITE PERFECT over the concluding stages. NOT QUITE PERFECT was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of NOT QUITE PERFECT after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, NOT QUITE PERFECT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ENERGETIC BOY was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. SOUND OF SILENCE was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of ENERGETIC BOY and SOUND OF SILENCE after the race did not show any significant findings. DAYLIGHT EXPRESS and SUPER RED were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that MAGI JOY had bled from both nostrils and SO NICE had lost its right front plate.