27/03/2011  Shatin  Race 9

GENE POWER and RICH UNICORN bumped at the start. After this, GENE POWER and ENTHUSED raced tight between RICH UNICORN which was taken in slightly by EL MORRO and LONDON CHINA TOWN. From wide barriers, AASHIQ and NIGHTLIGN were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, SHINING VICTORY failed to muster speed and near the 1000 Metres was taken across behind runners in an endeavour to obtain cover. Approaching the first turn, RICH UNICORN got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of LONDON CHINA TOWN which was steadied to shift in behind HAPPY REUNION. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, GENE POWER commenced to over-race and near the 700 Metres shifted out, taking ADMIRATION, AASHIQ and SHINING VICTORY wider. Near the 250 Metres, FINAL ANSWER was steadied when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TAILWIND which shifted out. Near the 150 Metres, G Cheyne (PROLIFIC CHAMPION) dropped his right rein. Close to the finishing line, SHINING VICTORY shifted in away from the heels of FINAL ANSWER and in doing so bumped LONDON CHINA TOWN. For the majority of the race, TAILWIND and FINAL ANSWER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, D Beadman stated that with ADMIRATION coming back in distance to 1200 Metres, it had been decided to ride the horse in about midfield if possible with cover. He said in the early stages ADMIRATION came off the bridle and for this reason passing the 1000 Metres he rode the horse along in an attempt to remain racing behind RICH UNICORN. He said however that making the turn near the 800 Metres ADMIRATION was bumped and carried wider by GENE POWER and for this reason ADMIRATION was not able to remain racing behind RICH UNICORN. He said after receiving a bump from GENE POWER, he rode his mount along to have it travel again, however, after the 600 Metres ADMIRATION again came off the bit and for this reason he was required to ride the horse along rounding the Home Turn to have it maintain its position. He added at the entrance to the Straight he shifted ADMIRATION to the outside of CERISE CHERRY and placed it under pressure, however, the horse did not quicken and in the Straight was one-paced and finished off the race only fairly. A veterinary inspection of ENTHUSED, which finished tailed out, after the race revealed that horse had bled from both nostrils. Before being allowed to race again, ENTHUSED will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that AASHIQ was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being permitted to race again, AASHIQ will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of EL MORRO and ADMIRATION after the race did not show any significant findings. The Stewards will interview Apprentice C Y Ho regarding the disappointing performance of EL MORRO prior to Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 30 March 2011. TAILWIND and RICH UNICORN were sent for sampling. <28/3/2011 Additional Veterinary Report>ENTHUSED, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time the horse had bled from both nostrils. ENTHUSED was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer L Ho this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front leg. As previously advised, ENTHUSED will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.