10/07/2011  Shatin  Race 4

JOHNSON was withdrawn on 8.7.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter CHINA DRAGON (H W Lai). Before being allowed to race again, JOHNSON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. From wide barriers, BLEDISLOE and WADASURPRISE were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Near the 700 Metres, CAGA BOY was checked when crowded for room inside SCENT OF OSMANTHUS (Y T Cheng) which at this time got its head on the side and shifted in. ISTIDE, which was following, was checked away from the heels of CAGA BOY in consequence. Y T Cheng was severely reprimanded and advised in similar circumstances he would be expected to make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. MASTER ELITE was badly held up for clear running until passing the 250 Metres. Near the 100 Metres, SURE FORWARD was steadied away from the heels of CAGA BOY which shifted out and away from MASTER ELITE when giving ground. When questioned, W C Marwing stated that he had been instructed to be positive on LET’S GOAL in the early stages, take up a forward position and hopefully obtain cover behind the leaders. He said these instructions were consistent with those given when he had ridden the horse at its two most recent starts. He said however at its last start LET’S GOAL, despite being ridden along, did not show sufficient speed to obtain this position. He said having in mind the manner in which LET’S GOAL raced at its last start, he rode the horse along out of the barriers to ensure it was able to obtain a forward position. He said after crossing a number of runners to his inside after the 1400 Metres, he steadied LET’S GOAL with a view to allowing MEGA CHAMPION, which was positioned to his inside, to take up the lead. He added however that MEGA CHAMPION was steadied by its rider which then obliged LET’S GOAL to race in the lead with CHINA DRAGON. He said as a result of the circumstances of the race, LET’S GOAL travelled in the lead which had not been anticipated. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SCENT OF OSMANTHUS, Y T Cheng stated that although SCENT OF OSMANTHUS travelled wide until the 700 Metres, the horse was able to shift in to a position one horse off the fence. He said however that rounding the Home Turn SCENT OF OSMANTHUS came under pressure and hung in badly. He said SCENT OF OSMANTHUS continued to hang in in the Straight and was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. He added the only explanation he could offer for the performance was that the horse, which was attempting 1600 Metres for the first time, may not have run out the distance. He said he also noted that SCENT OF OSMANTHUS had risen in the weights which may have also attributed to the horse’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of SCENT OF OSMANTHUS after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of WADASURPRISE after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. LET’S GOAL, DIVIDEND CHAMPION and BLEDISLOE were sent for sampling. <11/7/2011 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that LET’S GOAL was lame in both front legs on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, LET’S GOAL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.