17/12/2011  Shatin  Race 4

TELECOM CHARGER and METRO RIDER bumped at the start and then a short distance later TELECOM CHARGER shifted out towards the heels of METRO RIDER and blundered. From outside barriers, BLOSSOM DAILY and POLYGOLD were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the 1200 Metres, GOOD JOB got its head up and proved very difficult to settle. After the 1200 Metres, CONQUEROR was steadied away from the heels of METRO RIDER (Z Purton) which shifted in when not properly clear. Z Purton was reprimanded and advised that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. Near the 1100 Metres, TELECOM NEW STAR was steadied away from the heels of EPATANT (N Callan) which shifted in abruptly when being steadied to obtain cover. After this, EPATANT was shifted out to relieve the tightening to TELECOM NEW STAR. N Callan was advised to ensure that he exercises due care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. GOOD JOB, which was following and continuing to prove difficult to settle, was checked away from the heels of TELECOM NEW STAR in consequence. After this, GOOD JOB continued to race ungenerously and got it head up on a number of occasions. After the 1000 Metres, HERO’S WIN commenced to proved difficult to settle and for some distance was steadied away from the heels of NEWSWIRE TOO. GENERAL DANROAD, which was following, was hampered in consequence. Then near the 800 Metres, HERO’S WIN was again checked away from the heels of NEWSWIRE TOO which resulted in GENERAL DANROAD again being hampered in consequence. For some distance after the 600 Metres, NEWSWIRE TOO was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DR UNION. Over the concluding stages, HERO’S WIN was held up for clear running. Because of this, HERO’S WIN was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. Throughout the race, EPATANT and SUPER GALILEO travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, M Barzalona (GENERAL DANROAD) stated that in the early part of the Straight he attempted to obtain clear running between GOOD JOB and TELECOM NEW STAR. He said however that GENERAL DANROAD was badly held up for clear running behind SUPER GALILEO. He said GENERAL DANROAD continued to be unable to obtain clear running until near the 150 Metres and had to be checked for some distance leading up to this point when held up behind runners. He added that after obtaining clear running at the 150 Metres, he felt that GENERAL DANROAD was out of contention and because of this he did not continue to ride the horse out to the end of the race. M Barzalona was advised that in Hong Kong the Rules of Racing provide that horses must be ridden right out to the end of the race wherever circumstances permit. He was also advised that in similar circumstances he has an obligation to ride his mounts out to the best of his ability right to the end of the race. Mr K W Lui, the trainer of GENERAL DANROAD, stated that at the horse’s most recent start it was anticipated that the pace of the race would not be strong, therefore it was decided to ride the horse in a more forward position from its inside barrier. He said in that race the horse did not finish off as well as he expected and for this reason he asked M Barzalona to ride GENERAL DANROAD in a midfield position today if possible. He said due to the circumstances of the race, GENERAL DANROAD travelled further back in the field than had been intended. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on TELECOM CHARGER at the request of Trainer D Cruz. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, TELECOM CHARGER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of HERO’S WIN after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, HERO’S WIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of GENERAL DANROAD and GOOD JOB after the race did not show any significant findings. GOOD JOB, BLOSSOM DAILY and SUNSHINE BOY were sent for sampling.