11/07/2010  Shatin  Race 11

Just prior to the start being effected, ROYAL FLUSH became fractious and as the start was effected lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently lost ground. Before being allowed to race again, ROYAL FLUSH will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. ABLE SPEED began awkwardly. Passing the 1200 Metres, APPRECIATION was steadied after attempting to improve into a position between HELENE WITTY and SURVEY SURVEY where there was insufficient room. In this incident, APPRECIATION bumped SURVEY SURVEY which in turn shifted in and bumped DANZULU, resulting in those horses becoming unbalanced. A short distance later, APPRECIATION shifted out and bumped ABLE SPEED. SEEK N’ DESTROY, which was following ABLE SPEED, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Passing the 1000 Metres, DANZULU was steadied away from the heels of HELENE WITTY (M Chadwick) which shifted in when not properly clear. M Chadwick was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Also passing the 1000 Metres, ROYAL FLUSH proved difficult to settle and was steadied away from the heels of SURVEY SURVEY. After the 900 Metres, SUNSEEKER was left racing wide and without cover. Over the concluding stage, CERISE CHERRY and PENGLAI XIANZI raced tight due to CERISE CHERRY laying in. In the Straight, SUNSEEKER hung in and proved difficult to ride. When questioned, H W Lai stated that as he had been instructed to lead on BULLISH KING, he rode his mount along in the early stages to overcome the wide barrier. He said after reaching the lead passing the 1200 Metres, he elected to steady BULLISH KING, however, the horse would not settle. He said for this reason BULLISH KING set a faster tempo than intended and was not able to finish off the race. The performance of BULLISH KING, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BULLISH KING will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. D Whyte explained that in the Straight SEEK N’ DESTROY hung in and proved very difficult to ride. He said over the concluding stages when SEEK N’ DESTROY was continuing to hang in, he used the whip down the shoulder before showing it the whip in the vicinity to the winning post. He said he did this in an endeavour to correct SEEK N’ DESTROY and have the horse race more genuinely. A veterinary inspection of ROYAL FLUSH and DANZULU after the race did not show any significant findings. LET ME FIGHT and BERIO were sent for sampling.