25/04/2011  Shatin  Race 10

EIGHT PLUS NINE shifted out at the start and hampered BLESSING. VERY WELL was slow to begin. When questioned, B Doyle (ROMA THUNDER) stated that approaching the 600 Metres he was following MASTER GUNNER. He said although a run was available to the inside of that horse and behind SPECTACULAR AWARD, he did not consider improving into this run as it was his intention to bring ROMA THUNDER to the outside of runners in the Straight. He said however that after this PLENTIFUL remained racing to his immediate outside and when VERY WELL commenced to give ground, he was not able to shift out as he had intended. He added for this reason he was left with no alternative but to improve into a position inside VERY WELL and obtain inside runs rather than shifting to the outside as had been hoped. After the race, B Prebble reported that VERY WELL was making an abnormal breathing noise. A veterinary inspection of VERY WELL after the race did not show any significant findings, however, the Veterinary Officer reported that he was unable to scope the horse fully. When questioned, J Lloyd stated that he had not ridden BLESSING in any of its work leading up to today’s race. He said he had been instructed to ride the horse in a position behind midfield. He said that in the early stages BLESSING did not stretch out and despite him riding the horse along vigorously, it did not improve its position. He said after being momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of FOREST STAR which shifted in near the 1200 Metres, he continued to ride BLESSING along vigorously to have it travel better, however, BLESSING continued to lose ground on the field. He added rounding the Home Turn he placed the horse under pressure, however, BLESSING did not respond to his riding and continued to give ground. He said for this reason passing the 300 Metres he eased up on BLESSING as he felt something may have been amiss with the horse. He added however that near the 150 Metres when he was easing down on BLESSING, the horse commenced to travel more fluently and for this reason he was able to push the horse out in the run to the line. He said that when he did this, BLESSING made up some ground. A veterinary inspection of BLESSING after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of BLESSING was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BLESSING will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CROWN WITNESS, SUPREME KNIGHT and PLENTIFUL were sent for sampling.