13/06/2009  Shatin  Race 6

VILASOL was withdrawn on 11.6.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter PACKING POWER. Before being allowed to race again, VILASOL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PACKING POWER began awkwardly and lost ground. In the early stages, HIGH AIM failed to muster speed. At the 800 Metres, LUCKY RED, which was over-racing, was bumped by SILENT DRAGON. After the 200 Metres, SMART CURRENCY, which was commencing to give ground, became unbalanced and lost its position when crowded for room between WINDICATOR RETURNS and LUCKY RED which was carried wider by EVER BEAUTY (W C Marwing) which shifted out when not quite clear. W C Marwing was severely reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. Also after the 200 Metres, SILENT DRAGON became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by PACKING POWER which was checked when disappointed for running between SILENT DRAGON and LUCKY RED which after being interfered with then shifted in. No action was taken. For a short distance after this, SILENT DRAGON continued to be unbalanced when awkwardly placed inside the heels of LUCKY RED. At the 100 Metres, CARS KING PRAWN, which was closing the race off, was steadied and shifted in away from the heels of WHISKY POWER which was giving ground. When questioned, B Prebble (CARS KING PRAWN) said the intention had been to have the horse begin, travel where it was comfortable and endeavour to ensure it closed the race off strongly. He said CARS KING PRAWN began fairly, the horse did not show natural speed in the early stages and drifted back to a position behind midfield. He said he commenced niggling CARS KING PRAWN along after the 600 Metres, however, the horse did not quicken. He said he continued to ride CARS KING PRAWN along and the horse gradually commenced to close the race off. He said over the concluding stages CARS KING PRAWN closed the race off strongly. He added whilst he is aware CARS KING PRAWN has won a race over 1000 Metres prior to being imported to Hong Kong, the manner in which the horse raced today clearly suggested it would be better suited when racing over a distance greater than the 1000 Metres of today’s race. CARS KING PRAWN was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of CARS KING PRAWN after the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, M W Leung (WHISKY POWER) said he was required to make considerable use of his mount in the early stages to obtain a position trailing the leaders. He said after the 200 Metres when giving ground WHISKY POWER did not feel comfortable in its action and he therefore did not persevere in riding his mount out to the end of the race. Before being allowed to race again, WHISKY POWER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WINE WIN, SUPER FORTUNE and EVER BEAUTY were sent for sampling. After the race, it was noted SUPER FORTUNE had blood present at the left nostril. SUPER FORTUNE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said an endoscopic examination showed the horse to have bled. Also after the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that PACKING POWER had lost its right front plate.