01/01/2011  Shatin  Race 9

Due to a misunderstanding, T Angland was duly declared as the rider of both HIGH COMMAND and EAGLE SPIRIT at the time of declaration. N Callan was substituted as the rider of EAGLE SPIRIT. LET’S GOAL was crowded for room at the start between SUNRISE and STAR SON which shifted in after beginning awkwardly. EAGLE SPIRIT began awkwardly. Making the first turn, NATURAL FLAME got its head on the side and hung out. NATURAL FLAME continued to hang out for the remainder of the race and making the Home Turn shifted considerably wider. As NATURAL FLAME was barred following its most recent start for hanging out, the Stewards ruled that prior to being permitted to race again, NATURAL FLAME will have to perform satisfactorily in a series of consecutive official barrier trials around a bend. Throughout the race, LEADING CITY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, W C Marwing (WINNING EDGE) stated that shortly after the 400 Metres he attempted to obtain a run between LAMBRO and EAGLE SPIRIT, however, he was obliged to steady WINNING EDGE when disappointed for running due to both horses shifting ground. He said he shifted WINNING EDGE to the inside of LAMBRO and allow the horse to rebalance before riding it along. He said after this WINNING EDGE finished off the race strongly. W M Lai (STAR SON) reported that rounding the Home Turn STAR SON became unbalanced in its action and for this reason he eased the horse out of the race shortly after entering the Straight as he felt that STAR SON may have gone amiss. A veterinary inspection of STAR SON, which finished tailed out, after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of STAR SON was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, STAR SON will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of NATURAL FLAME after the race did not show any significant findings. JUST FANTASTIC and LEADING CITY were sent for sampling.