25/01/2012  Shatin  Race 1

JOYFUL JOYFUL, POWER AND GOLD and GRANDFIELD were all crowded for room at the start between PAPAS which shifted out abruptly and METRO RIDER which shifted in after being bumped on the hindquarters by FAST INTENTIONS which began awkwardly. From the outside barrier, SPEEDY was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the 800 Metres, HEY HA MASTER got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of PAPAS. For some distance after the 700 Metres, GENERAL DANROAD and HEY HA MASTER raced tight as GENERAL DANROAD shifted away from the heels of DR BULLION. At the 400 Metres, MARVEL PLUS and FUN AND FAST bumped as MARVEL PLUS shifted to the outside of MY MELODY. After the 200 Metres, MARVEL PLUS was momentarily crowded for room between MY MELODY and FAST INTENTIONS, both of which shifted slight ground. Throughout the race, MY MELODY and METRO RIDER travelled wide and without cover. W C Marwing, the rider of 5th placegetter, FAST INTENTIONS, pleaded guilty to a charge of having failed to ride his mount out to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards [Rule 100(2)]. W C Marwing was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Sunday, 12 February 2012 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the racemeeting to be conducted on Saturday, 4 February 2012 in South Africa. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MARVEL PLUS, M Chadwick stated that he had been instructed to ride MARVEL PLUS in 3rd or 4th position if possible. He said he rode his mount along in the early stages to take up a forward position as instructed, however, MARVEL PLUS got its head up on a number of occasions. He said making the first turn MARVEL PLUS lay out and continued to do so until the Home Straight at which point the horse then got its head on the side and was inclined to lay in. He said he was not able to offer any explanation for the horse’s disappointing performance today. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that blood was noted at the left nostril of FUN AND FAST during the post-race veterinary inspection. He said an endoscopic examination confirmed the horse to be a bleeder. Also after the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on POWER AND GOLD at the request of Trainer C H Yip. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, POWER AND GOLD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MARVEL PLUS and HEY HA MASTER after the race did not show any significant findings. FUN AND FAST, PAPAS and SPEEDY were sent for sampling.