09/04/2011  Shatin  Race 1

On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie worn by FORTUNE GENERAL was refitted. KING OF GLASS and SPICY SHRIMP bumped heavily at the start. SPICY SHRIMP raced wide and without cover until passing the 700 Metres. Passing the 300 Metres, MERRY TOWKAY was checked when disappointed for running between PANNA which shifted out and RUMBA KING which was giving ground abruptly. When questioned, M Du Plessis stated that he had been instructed to ride SERENDIPITY, which was having its first race start today, in a midfield position if possible. He said as the start was effected, SERENDIPITY began awkwardly and then was crowded for room between FLYING KEEPER and DAILY DOUBLE which shifted out. He said because of this SERENDIPITY raced further back in the field than had been intended. He said shortly after the start he gave the horse a slap down the shoulder with the whip in an endeavour to have it make up lost ground. He said at the entrance to the Straight he immediately commenced to shift out on SERENDIPITY to obtain clear running, however, when he observed PANNA being shifted away from the fence in advance of SERENDIPITY, he elected to shift back to the inside of that horse. He said when placed under pressure, SERENDIPITY responded well to his riding. He added passing the 200 Metres he had to shift out around runners to obtain clear running and after being shifted to the outside of SUNSHINE KID approaching the 100 Metres, he was able to use the whip in the backhand manner on SERENDIPITY. He said SERENDIPITY finished off the race strongly. When questioned, J Lloyd stated that PACKING KID got its head up and proved difficult to settle after the 1100 Metres as it did when he rode the horse in track work in the lead up to today’s race and then near the 1000 Metres over-raced badly. He said he considered allowing PACKING KID to stride forward inside FORTUNE GENERAL to follow SPICY SHRIMP, however, he felt that SPICY SHRIMP would be allowed to continue forward by its rider which would have resulted in PACKING KID being left racing wide and without cover. He said having in mind the manner in which PACKING KID was racing, he did not believe this would be in the best interests of the horse, therefore he elected to allow FORTUNE GENERAL to cross PACKING KID in the hope that this would result in PACKING KID racing more tractably. A veterinary inspection of RUMBA KING after the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being permitted to race again, RUMBA KING will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of PACKING KID after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, PACKING KID will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that FORTUNE GENERAL had lost its left front plate. RUMBA KING, FORTUNE GENERAL and BEAUTIFUL SCENERY were sent for sampling.