21/03/2012  Shatin  Race 2

LAGO EXPRESS proved difficult to proceed to the Start and then after being loaded became fractious and reared on a number of occasions. LAGO EXPRESS then finished tailed out. Having in mind all the circumstances relative to LAGO EXPRESS, the Stewards ruled that prior to being permitted to race again, that horse will be required to perform satisfactorily in a series of official barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. At the start, OYSTER was crowded for room between LAGO EXPRESS which began awkwardly and HONOUR LIST which got its head up on jumping and shifted in. A short distance after the start, HONOUR LIST, which was being ridden along to improve its position, was crowded for room between MY WHISKY which shifted in marginally after being bumped on the hindquarters by HONOUR LIST and OYSTER which shifted out after being bumped on the hindquarters by HONOUR LIST. In the circumstances, no action was taken. Near the 800 Metres, when being steadied to allow NOVEL START to cross, ALL FRIENDS got its head up and proved difficult to settle. Near the 400 Metres, O’HALO became unbalanced when obtaining tight running between EXCELLENT WIN and ALL FRIENDS which shifted out slightly. PERFECT FIT had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Throughout the race, NOVEL START travelled wide and without cover and rounding the turns got its head on the side and lay out. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of RIDE ON THE FIRE, K C Leung stated that the horse became agitated behind the barriers and after being placed in the barrier stalls was then fractious. He said as the start was effected RIDE ON THE FIRE began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped NOVEL START. He said he had to make considerable use of RIDE ON THE FIRE in the early stages to take up a forward position as instructed and because of this, in his opinion, the horse then did not finish off the race. He added he placed RIDE ON THE FIRE under pressure prior to the Home Turn and the horse weakened out of the race in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of RIDE ON THE FIRE after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of RIDE ON THE FIRE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, RIDE ON THE FIRE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of WHAT A HEART after the race did not show any significant findings. ALL FRIENDS and O’HALO were sent for sampling.