17/10/2010  Shatin  Race 3

LUCKY SELECTION was withdrawn by order of the Stewards when that horse refused to proceed to the barriers. Trainer D Cruz was advised that prior to being permitted to race again, LUCKY SELECTION must satisfactorily proceed to the barriers in either the 800 Metre or 1000 Metre official barrier trials on turf at Sha Tin Racecourse on consecutive occasions. After being loaded, PILLOWIN got its head down in the stalls and struck its head forcefully in the gates before rearing and sitting down. PILLOWIN was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said, in his opinion, it was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of PILLOWIN. Before being allowed to race again, PILLOWIN will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TREASURE GLITTER was slow to begin and was then bumped by TOUT VA BIEN which shifted out after being bumped by SHY BALDY. Near the 100 Meters, GUNNER MAC was steadied away from the heels of SKY MASCOT which was giving ground. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SKY MASCOT, J Lloyd stated that after being in the barriers for some time, the horse began slowly and then became unbalanced when bumped by KHARU which shifted out on his inside. He said he urged SKY MASCOT along in the early stages to overcome the horse’s poor start and it then travelled into a good position. He said SKY MASCOT travelled comfortably until near the 300 Metres at which time he put the horse under pressure, however, it did not respond to his riding and weakened. He added, in his opinion, although SKY MASCOT raced disappointingly, the horse would benefit from today’s race. A veterinary inspection of SKY MASCOT and DASHING ACE after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that GOOD SMILE had sustained a cut to the inside of the right front heel. SKY MASCOT, MY MELODY and XI YING MEN were sent for sampling.