23/05/2010  Shatin  Race 3

After being loaded, LUCKY FOLLOW ME became fractious and reared. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY FOLLOW ME will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. BINGO BINGO, which was in the stall beside LUCKY FOLLOW ME, then became fractious and kicked the back gates on a number of occasions. BINGO BINGO was removed from the barrier stall and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse had sustained a cut wound to its left stifle and, in his opinion, was not suitable to race. Accordingly, BINGO BINGO was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, BINGO BINGO will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. LUCKY FOLLOW ME and AMPLE GAINS were slow to begin. OUTDOOR PEGASUS began awkwardly. Making the first turn near the 850 Metres, AMPLE GAINS was steadied away from the heels of PRIME TARGET after improving inside that horse where there was doubtful room. GO DAN GO had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Throughout the race, DUKE’S VICTORY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, H W Lai (HORSESHOE FORTUNE) stated that passing the 1200 Metres he had hoped to shift in to a position racing behind GO DAN GO, however, when that horse was steadied away from the heels of HUSSLER, HORSESHOE FORTUNE was left racing wide to the outside of the heels of GO DAN GO and therefore he was not able to shift in behind that horse to obtain cover. When questioned, M Du Plessis (MR TOPAZ) stated that rounding the Home Turn he observed LUCKY FOLLOW ME, which he had been following, shift away from the fence, therefore he elected to obtain a run to that horse’s inside. He said as he was improving to the inside of LUCKY FOLLOW ME, that horse shifted back in which resulted in MR TOPAZ being crowded for room. He said at the entrance to the Straight he shifted MR TOPAZ out around LUCKY FOLLOW ME. He said he rode MR TOPAZ along, the horse commenced to make up fair ground and passing the 300 Metres he angled the horse into clear running between AMPLE GAINS and DUKE S VICTORY. He said after being momentarily held up for clear running between those horses, MR TOPAZ improved into this position, however, passing the 200 Metres MR TOPAZ was crowded for room due to DUKE’S VICTORY and AMPLE GAINS shifting ground slightly. He said after this he balanced MR TOPAZ and the horse then finished off the race fairly over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of MR TOPAZ after the race did not show any significant findings. OUTDOOR PEGASUS, VAUGIRARD and HUSSLER were sent for sampling.