24/01/2010  Shatin  Race 1

Prior to the start being effected, AMERICAN GLORY became fractious and lunged at the front gates, resulting in the front gates of its barrier being opened fractionally prior to the other gates. As the Stewards were satisfied that AMERICAN GLORY had not had an unfair start, the horse was deemed to be a runner. PERPETUAL DELIGHT was slow to begin. CHEERFUL HAPPINESS began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped NOBLE TWINS which as a result became badly unbalanced when crowded for room between CHEERFUL HAPPINESS and SPEED RACER which shifted out after being bumped by EAST RIDER. For some distance passing the 1000 Metres, SPEED RACER proved very difficult to settle and when being checked away from the heels of SOUND OF SILENCE commenced to hang out. After this, SPEED RACER continued to hang out, near the 700 Metres took EXCELLENT ELITE wider and rounding the Home Turn shifted out further and bumped CHEERFUL HAPPINESS. Then over the concluding stages, SPEED RACER shifted ground inwards abruptly. In the circumstances, the racing manners of SPEED RACER were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SPEED RACER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial around a bend. Passing the 350 Metres, J Victoire (PURE ALPHA) dropped his whip. Throughout the race, MASTER TOWER hung in badly, resulting in the horse being very difficult to ride. After being aggressively ridden to obtain a forward position, MASTER TOWER was slow to muster speed and for the majority of the race travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. The performance of MASTER TOWER was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MASTER TOWER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of EAST RIDER, which finished tailed out, including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. The performance of EAST RIDER was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, EAST RIDER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MASTER TOWER and EXCELLENT ELITE after the race did not show any significant findings. AMERICAN GLORY, CHEERFUL HAPPINESS and PURE ALPHA were sent for sampling.