19/05/2012  Shatin  Race 6

STREET CAT was slow to begin. CASTLE HERO and MEGA both began awkwardly. NIGHTLIGN shifted out at the start, resulting in GERONIMO MEADOW being crowded for room inside LUCKY SCEPTER. When questioned, D Whyte stated that as the start was effected ZEZAO lifted its front feet off the ground and began awkwardly. He said he niggled at ZEZAO to have the horse improve its position in the early stages, however, ZEZAO travelled only fairly when racing behind midfield. He said after the 500 Metres he shifted ZEZAO to the inside of ULTIMATE WINNERS and the horse commenced to finish off the race more strongly. He added ZEZAO continued to make ground until after the 100 Metres at which time HAWTHORNE shifted in under pressure and WINNING LEADER shifted out marginally, resulting in ZEZAO being crowded for room. He said as he was too far outside the heels of WINNING LEADER, he was not able to shift ZEZAO in across the heels of that horse and because of this ZEZAO was not able to be ridden out over about the final 75 Metres. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BULLISH KING, M Chadwick stated that a forward showing was expected today from the horse as its overseas form on wet tracks had been good. He said BULLISH KING did not proceed to the barriers as strongly as it had done prior to its previous races which was uncharacteristic. He said in the early and middle stages BULLISH KING travelled satisfactorily, however, when LIFELINE ELITE commenced to improve its position after the 500 Metres, he was obliged to ride BULLISH KING along to ensure that that horse was not able to cross BULLISH KING. He said no sooner did he did this than BULLISH KING was under pressure and it was disappointing in the manner in which it responded to his riding over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of BULLISH KING after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on LIFELINE ELITE at the request of Trainer A T Millard. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, LIFELINE ELITE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that CASTLE HERO had lost both its front plates and that ULTIMATE WINNERS had sustained a small cut to the outside of the right hind cannon. A veterinary inspection of STREET CAT after the race did not show any significant findings. BULLISH KING, LIFELINE ELITE and WINNING LEADER were sent for sampling.