19/12/2009  Shatin  Race 1

BUSHWHACKER was withdrawn on 18.12.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter CONQUEROR (S K Sit). Before being allowed to race again, BUSHWHACKER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SPECTACULAR AWARD was difficult to load. Before being allowed to race again, SPECTACULAR AWARD will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. PROSPEROUS was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, SOLAR WONDER raced tight between SPLENDID SAILS and PUBLIC FIGURE which shifted in. From the outside barrier, despite being ridden along in the early stages, CONQUEROR failed to muster speed and near the 1100 Metres was taken across behind runners. Passing the 800 Metres, WONDERFUL DOLPHIN got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of FOREST STAR. Near the 600 Metres, SPLENDID SAILS was steadied away from thee heels of BUMBLE BEE which itself was awkwardly placed close to the heels of VINSANTO which shifted away from the fence and to the outside of PROSPEROUS. Rounding the Home Turn, WONDERFUL DOLPHIN was awkwardly placed close to the heels of RED RULER. Near the 300 Metres, PUBLIC FIGURE (G Cheyne) was taken out by RED RULER which itself shifted to the outside of VINSANTO which was weakening. G Cheyne stated that after this PUBLIC FIGURE hung in. A veterinary inspection of VINSANTO after the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being permitted to race again, VINSANTO will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SPECTACULAR AWARD and FOREST STAR were sent for sampling.