08/09/2013  Shatin  Race 6

DISTINCT COMMANDER was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (left hind limb infection). Before being allowed to race again, DISTINCT COMMANDER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, HEARTLAND failed to muster speed. Despite being vigorously ridden along in the early and middle stages, MULTIEXPRESS failed to muster speed and became detached from the field after the 800 Metres. A veterinary inspection of MULTIEXPRESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The racing performance of MULTIEXPRESS was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MULTIEXPRESS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. At the 1000 Metres, MEDIC SWORDSMAN became unbalanced after being bumped by HEARTLAND which became awkward and shifted in after improving towards the heels of SILVER DRAGON which was shifting in. At the 900 Metres, GOLDEN GUNNERS got its head up and proved difficult to settle when having to be steadied away from the heels of T-BOLT (O Doleuze) which shifted in when not sufficiently clear. O Doleuze was reprimanded and advised to ensure he provides other runners sufficient clearance before shifting ground. After the 700 Metres, K-MOOCHI got its head on the side and lay out. K-MOOCHI continued to lay out until after rounding the Home Turn. Near the 350 Metres, CRUISE CONTROL and DASHING FORTUNE bumped as a result of both horses shifting ground. After this, DASHING FORTUNE shifted out abruptly after the 300 Metres when being ridden along. Throughout the race, LUCKY BONUS travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, D Whyte stated that, from barrier 2, he had been asked to ride DEHERE’S THE LOVE where it was comfortable, however, it was anticipated that the horse would have sufficient speed to be racing behind the leaders. He said after being momentarily crowded for room between DASHING FORTUNE and ATACX at the start, he rode his mount along, however, ATACX showed greater speed, therefore he allowed that horse to cross. He said he resumed riding DEHERE’S THE LOVE along, however, the horse was reluctant to maintain its position and he was not able to prevent CRUISE CONTROL from shifting in to his outside. He added he continued to niggle at DEHERE’S THE LOVE in an endeavour to have it race as handy as possible, however, it failed to show any early speed and consequently raced back in the field. He said he did give consideration to finding inside runs on DEHERE’S THE LOVE, however, as the horse had indicated that it was not comfortable amongst other horses, he elected, rounding the Home Turn, to shift DEHERE’S THE LOVE to the outside to see if it would close off the race. He added when he did this, DEHERE’S THE LOVE showed a good turn of foot and commenced to close off the race. He said as the horse was inclined to lay in, he changed the whip into his right hand after the 200 Metres. He said DEHERE’S THE LOVE continued to lay in and when he received a call from the rider of LUCKY BONUS to his inside approaching the 100 Metres, he momentarily stopped riding his mount and straightened DEHERE’S THE LOVE before resuming riding it out to the finish. T-BOLT, ATACX and K-MOOCHI were sent for sampling.