12/03/2011  Shatin  Race 2

After leaving the Parade Ring, REAL DRAGON sustained a wound to the right front cannon after being kicked by another runner. REAL DRAGON was 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 REAL DRAGON. Before being allowed to race again, REAL DRAGON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUPER THUNDER and SHAREMA FEELING were slow to begin. Over the final 400 Metres, RUMBA KING got its head on the side and hung out. After the 300 Metres, SHAREMA FEELING was steadied when awkwardly placed outside the heels of RUMBA KING which was shifting out. Near the 50 Metres, WASABISABI (Apprentice T H So) was steadied away from the heels of MY MELODY (Apprentice M L Yeung) which shifted out. Apprentice Yeung was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to keep his mounts straight in future. Apprentice So was spoken to regarding the standard of evidence he provided at this inquiry. Because of this, WASABISABI was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. Over the concluding stages, SHAREMA FEELING and TREASURE GLITTER raced tight. When questioned, B Prebble (PEPPERMINT) stated that he had intended to follow FASTALOT which was drawn to his inside through the race. He said in the early stages PEPPERMINT was beaten for speed and because of this raced back in the field. He said he commenced to ride the horse along from the 800 Metres to have it make up ground, however, PEPPERMINT, despite being ridden along hands and heels, continued to show no early speed. He said approaching the 600 Metres he steadied PEPPERMINT when awkwardly placed outside the heels of SUPER THUNDER which shifted out. He said after this he recommenced riding the horse along hands and heels and it took some time for PEPPERMINT to respond to his riding. He added passing the 400 Metres PEPPERMINT commenced to pick up ground towards the outside fence and then commenced to close off the race strongly. He said near the 300 Metres he was obliged to direct PEPPERMINT to the inside of PASSIONATE to continue going forward and then near the 150 Metres he stopped riding PEPPERMINT briefly as he wished to shift to the outside of FASTALOT and he had to ensure that he was sufficiently clear of PASSIONATE to his outside. He added after shifting to the outside of FASTALOT, he again commenced to ride PEPPERMINT along and the horse finished off the race strongly. B Prebble was advised that his riding of PEPPERMINT in the early stages had come under notice and that he must, wherever possible, ensure that horses ridden by him do not get too far out of their ground. A veterinary inspection of SHAREMA FEELING and GENERAL DANROAD after the race did not show any significant findings. FASTALOT, FAIR NAVIGATOR and PEPPERMINT were sent for sampling.