05/11/2011  Shatin  Race 1

The Stewards today interviewed Mr L Ho, the trainer of EASY AHEAD, as to the circumstances regarding that horse being mistakenly treated with an anti-ulcer treatment on the morning of Friday, 4 November 2011. After being notified by Mr Ho that EASY AHEAD had been inadvertently treated, the horse was withdrawn from this race by order of the Stewards on 4 November 2011 and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SUNSHINE KID (O Doleuze). The evidence disclosed that Mr C K Au, head lad allocated to Mr Ho’s stable, had mistakenly treated that horse on the morning in question. Mr Ho was fined the sum of $20,000 for breaching Rule 50(2). Mr Au was advised that a report in respect of this matter would be forwarded to the Executive Manager, Stables for his consideration. BAMBOO DANCE and KING OF HEARTS were slow to begin. Shortly after the start, CREATIVE UNION was crowded for room between EN MASSE and SUNSHINE KID. From a wide barrier, SUPERIOR WARRIOR was slow to muster speed and then throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. Making the first turn after the 900 Metres, BAMBOO DANCE got its head on the side, shifted out and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of EN MASSE. Also making the first turn after the 900 Metres, SUN DRAGON got its head on the side and shifted out, resulting in KING OF HEARTS being taken wider. Rounding the Home Turn, EN MASSE was steadied away from the heels of RIGHT TIMING which shifted out. At the entrance to the Straight, SOLAR GREAT and SUPER GOODIES bumped as SUPER GOODIES shifted out to obtain clear running, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Over the concluding stages, RIGHT TIMING and SOLAR GREAT raced tight. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of COUNTRY CHARM, B Prebble stated that the horse travelled comfortably in the early stages. He said however that making the turn after the 900 Metres COUNTRY CHARM became unbalanced when bumped by SOLAR GREAT which made the turn awkwardly. He said when this happened, COUNTRY CHARM was inclined to lay in towards the hindquarters of SOLAR GREAT and was reluctant to maintain its position outside of that horse and inside SUPERIOR WARRIOR. He said because of this, after the 800 Metres, he had to ride COUNTRY CHARM along to maintain its position to the outside of SOLAR GREAT. He added for some distance between the 800 Metres and the Home Turn COUNTRY CHARM continued to be awkwardly placed outside the heels of SOLAR GREAT which shifted in to a one-off position. He said because of this COUNTRY CHARM, which was having the first start in a race around a turn today, was not able to get balanced in its action. He said COUNTRY CHARM came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and despite being placed under pressure did not finish off the race. He said whilst the performance of COUNTRY CHARM, on face value, appeared disappointing today, he believed there were valid reasons for the horse’s failure to close off. A veterinary inspection of COUNTRY CHARM after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, T Clark (KING OF HEARTS) reported his saddle shifted backwards during the race. COUNTRY CHARM, SUPER GOODIES and SOLAR GREAT were sent for sampling.