01/06/2008  Shatin  Race 8

DOUBLE LUCK was withdrawn on 29.5.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore foot). Before being allowed to race again, DOUBLE LUCK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PROFITING CHAMPION began awkwardly. KINGS FALCON was slow into stride. ABOVE ALL and LUCKY HERO were taken across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, LUCKY HERO was steadied when awkwardly placed tight outside ABOVE ALL and inside the heels of GRAND COMMANDS which after being brushed by EASY got its head on the side and hung in. At the 700 Metres, KINGS FALCON shifted in, made contact with the running rail and became unbalanced. After the 600 Metres, GALEN WIN was checked away from the heels of ULTRA FANTASY. On straightening, ULTRA FANTASY was brushed and carried wider by KINGS FALCON which shifted out to obtain clear running. In the Straight, WINDICATOR RETURNS hung in. Approaching the winning post, ULTRA FANTASY raced in restricted room between KINGS FALCON and GALEN WIN. The performance of GRAND COMMANDS, which tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GRAND COMMANDS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. G Boss (ABOVE ALL) reported his mount after the 800 Metres was reluctant to maintain its position inside GRAND COMMANDS, then after the 700 Metres became unbalanced after bumping with GRAND COMMANDS while crowded for room inside that horse which shifted in away from LUCKY HERO. D Beadman (LUCKY HERO), which performed poorly, explained when under pressure over the final 300 Metres his mount made a significant breathing noise. He said LUCKY HERO did not close the race off as it has in the past. When questioned regarding the poor performance of PROFITING CHAMPION which was stepping up in distance today to 1200 Metres, H W Lai explained his mount did not feel comfortable in its action making the turns. LUCKY HERO was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. PROFITING CHAMPION and GRAND COMMANDS were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY HERO, PROFITING CHAMPION and GRAND COMMANDS after the race did not show any significant findings. NORMAN INVADER and GALEN WIN were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported EASY had lost its left front plate.