19/02/2012  Shatin  Race 4

TAKE THE RAP was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind). Before being allowed to race again, TAKE THE RAP will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MEGA POSH and BEAUTIFUL SCENERY were slow to begin. SPEECHMAKER began very awkwardly and lost ground. SUDDEN THUNDER began awkwardly, shifted in at the start and bumped ROCKET PROUD. From a wide barrier, REAL GENERAL was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Making the first turn near the 850 Metres, DIVINITY POWER got its head up when over-racing and awkwardly placed close to the heels of THE PEAK. Approaching the 800 Metres, ROCKET PROUD commenced to over-race and was shifted away from the heels of DIVINITY POWER. For some distance after this, ROCKET PROUD raced tight between DIVINITY POWER and SUDDEN THUNDER. Passing the 800 Metres, TARREGA proved difficult to settle and was steadied away from the heels of PAPAS. NOVEL START, which was following, was checked away from the heels of TARREGA in consequence and SPEECHMAKER, which was following NOVEL START, was also hampered. After the 400 Metres, DIVINITY POWER was held up for clear running behind THE PEAK. Then after the 300 Metres, DIVINITY POWER was shifted to the inside of THE PEAK in an attempt to obtain clear running between that horse and CALL ME ACHIEVER. For some distance approaching the 200 Metres, DIVINITY POWER continued to be held up when unable to obtain clear running between CALL ME ACHIEVER and THE PEAK which got its head on the side and lay in. Passing the 200 Metres, DIVINITY POWER was steadied when disappointed for running between CALL ME ACHIEVER and THE PEAK which continued to lay in. When disappointed for running, DIVINITY POWER shifted out, resulting in NOVEL START being crowded for room between that horse and SPEECHMAKER which itself was laying in. In this incident, both NOVEL START and SPEECHMAKER were badly hampered. Over the final 300 Metres, TARREGA was held up for clear running. Because of this, TARREGA was not able to be tested. O Doleuze (MEGA POSH) was fined a sum of $2,000 for raising his whip arm above shoulder height. A veterinary inspection of SPEECHMAKER after the race did not show any significant findings. THE PEAK and SUDDEN THUNDER were sent for sampling.