06/11/2010  Shatin  Race 9

ROMPING was withdrawn on 4.11.10 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter TURF EXPRESS. Before being allowed to race again, ROMPING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Prior to racing again, AMIGO, which proved difficult to load, will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. WHITE JADE was slow to begin and then for some distance after the start raced in restricted room between AMIGO and EXPRESS WIN which was racing tight to the inside of GRAND DANCER. TURF EXPRESS was crowded for room at the start between AMIGO and ENDLESS LUCK which was taken out by SPARKLING POWER which, after beginning awkwardly, was taken out by BERIO which shifted out on jumping. When being steadied in the early stages to shift across behind runners from a wide draw, GRAND DANCER proved difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions. Rounding the Home Turn, ENDLESS LUCK raced in restricted room between PRESTO and WHITE JADE. Then in the early part of the Straight, ENDLESS LUCK was steadied away from the heels of PRESTO which shifted out slightly. Throughout the race, SPARKLING POWER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, O Doleuze (AMIGO) stated that he followed EXPRESS WIN rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight as he did not want to cover unnecessary ground with 133 lbs. He said he had hoped that EXPRESS WIN would be able to take him into the race, however, that horse was not improving as well as he expected at the entrance to the Straight, therefore he shifted AMIGO out from behind that horse passing the 400 Metres. He said after shifting AMIGO to the outside of runners, he placed the horse under pressure, however, in his opinion, AMIGO finished off the race only fairly. A veterinary inspection of TURF EXPRESS after the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being permitted to race again, TURF EXPRESS will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of FLEET COMMAND after the race did not show any significant findings. SPARKLING POWER, CALIFORNIA MEMORY and AASHIQ were sent for sampling.