27/12/2010  Shatin  Race 6

GROOVY was withdrawn on 26.12.10 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right front leg). Before being allowed to race again, GROOVY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. G Mossé was fined the sum of $3,000 for striking JOLLY GOOD in the vicinity of the head with his left hand on entering the track. HARVEST DANCER was slow to begin. From wide draws, JOLLY GOOD and FORTUNE EIGHT were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. In the early stages, FRESH AIR proved very difficult to settle and near the 900 Metres was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HUSSLER. Near the 300 Metres, NICE FOLKS was held up when disappointed for running between HIGH RETURN and FRESH AIR which shifted out. Near the 250 Metres, LIFE OF BEAUTY, which was commencing to give ground, was steadied when crowded for room between HIGH RETURN and CHARMGOLD which shifted in. When questioned, J Lloyd stated that he had been instructed, from a wide barrier, to take SHANGHAI PIONEER across behind runners shortly after the start and attempt to improve its position closer to the fence. He said shortly after entering into the Straight he shifted to the inside of FRESH AIR when that horse shifted to the outside of SEA PRINCE. He said he immediately commenced to improve his position and passing the 350 Metres was aware of a run that was available between HUSSLER and SEA PRINCE which was some lengths in advance of his position. He said as he was some distance behind SEA PRINCE, he elected to shift SHANGHAI PIONEER behind that horse to provide himself with the option of going to the outside of SEA PRINCE should the run between HUSSLER and SEA PRINCE close. He added at no time during this period of the race did he stop riding SHANGHAI PIONEER and when clear running did not eventuate to the outside of SEA PRINCE, he directed SHANGHAI PIONEER to take advantage of the run which remained available between that horse and HUSSLER. He said when he improved into this run, SHANGHAI PIONEER got its head on the side and lay in behind HUSSLER, however, as he was some distance behind that horse, his riding out of SHANGHAI PIONEER was not impeded other than he had to correct his mount to shift it back to the outside of the heels of HUSSLER. A veterinary inspection of HARVEST DANCER after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. HUSSLER and CHARMGOLD were sent for sampling.