23/05/2010  Shatin  Race 1

Whilst in the saddling stalls, it was noted that GRAND VINS had lost its left front plate. This plate was refitted. GRAND VINS was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. FAIR NAVIGATOR, which was fractious in the barriers, was slow to begin and then shortly after the start was bumped on the hindquarters by GORGEOUS LIFE which began awkwardly and shifted out. In this incident, FAIR NAVIGATOR became unbalanced and GORGEOUS LIFE lost ground. FAIR NAVIGATOR, which was also difficult to load, will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test before being allowed to race again. LITTLE BRIDGE shifted out at the start, resulting in OUR WISH being taken out onto SURE FORWARD which began awkwardly. HO HAPPY began awkwardly and then for a short distance after the start got its head up on a number of occasions. Near the 900 Metres, HO HAPPY was steadied when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GRAND VINS due to both horses shifting slight ground. Passing the 700 Metres, GORGEOUS LIFE, which was racing greenly, shifted out and crowded AGRICULTURE EXPERT. Approaching the 200 Metres, LITTLE BRIDGE was struck across the nose by the whip of B Prebble (ROMANTIC CITY). Just prior to the winning post, DANESOUTH was crowded for room between AGRICULTURE EXPERT which shifted in to avoid the heels of WHISKY POWER and GORGEOUS LIFE which shifted out and away from SURE FORWARD. In this incident, all these horses made heavy contact. The performance of OUR WISH, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, OUR WISH will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, M W Leung (WHISKY POWER) stated that passing the 300 Metres he became concerned with the action of the horse as it became quite unbalanced. He said then near the 200 Metres WHISKY POWER shortened stride appreciably and for this reason he eased the horse down for the remainder of the race. He said on pulling up WHISKY POWER stumbled on a number of occasions. A veterinary inspection of WHISKY POWER after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, WHISKY POWER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. LITTLE BRIDGE and ROMANTIC CITY were sent for sampling.