09/04/2012  Shatin  Race 7

VIVA FIGHTER was withdrawn on 8.4.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (left eye laceration). Before being allowed to race again, VIVA FIGHTER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. From wide barriers, SPICY SIAM and BLOSSOM DAILY were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, GREAT PEGASUS shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of MERIDIAN TREASURE, resulting in GREAT PEGASUS being crowded for room between that horse and JOHN DORY. Near the 1100 Metres, MERIDIAN TREASURE was steadied away from the heels of DREAMS MAKER (C K Tong) which shifted in when not properly clear. C K Tong was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground. After the 1000 Metres, SPICY SIAM was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HORSESHOE FORTUNE which shifted in when barely clear. Approaching the 800 Metres, MERIDIAN TREASURE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LITTLE RAINFOREST (H W Lai) which shifted in when barely clear. H W Lai was reprimanded. Near the 700 Metres, HORSESHOE FORTUNE got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GREAT PEGASUS. At the entrance to the Straight, HORSESHOE FORTUNE and LIFE OF BEAUTY bumped as HORSESHOE FORTUNE attempted to shift out into clear running from behind SCENT OF OSMANTHUS. Approaching the 300 Metres, BLOSSOM DAILY was steadied away from the heels of COOL BEAN which was shifted out after being held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. At the 200 Metres, SCENT OF OSMANTHUS got its head on the side and shifted in away from LIFE OF BEAUTY which itself shifted in under pressure, resulting in COOL BEAN being taken in onto JOHN DORY, causing those horses to be inconvenienced. Throughout the race, SCENT OF OSMANTHUS travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, T Angland stated that rounding the Home Turn he directed COOL BEAN out from behind JOHN DORY which he had been following in the lead up to this point of the race. He said as he did this, he noticed that LITTLE RAINFOREST, which was positioned to the outside of JOHN DORY, was giving ground and for this reason he shifted back in to be racing behind JOHN DORY. He said shortly after entering the Straight COOL BEAN commenced to travel strongly and he had to shift COOL BEAN in away from the heels of JOHN DORY so as to avoid the heels of that horse. He said when he did this, COOL BEAN continued to travel strongly and improved inside the heels of JOHN DORY and it took him some distance to be able to shift COOL BEAN across behind and to the outside of JOHN DORY. He added although LITTLE RAINFOREST shifted out and presented a run between that horse and JOHN DORY, at this time COOL BEAN had improved to the inside of JOHN DORY and therefore he was not able to immediately take advantage of this run. He said that nonetheless after obtaining clear running approaching the 300 Metres, COOL BEAN then quickened well until the final 50 Metres at which time the horse’s run ended and LIFE OF BEAUTY was able to extend the winning margin over COOL BEAN. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MERIDIAN TREASURE, Apprentice K C Ng stated that when being crossed by DREAMS MAKER after the 1100 Metres, MERIDIAN TREASURE commenced to over-race and after this travelled keenly. He said approaching the 800 Metres he allowed LITTLE RAINFOREST to cross MERIDIAN TREASURE in the hope that that would assist MERIDIAN TREASURE in settling better, however, MERIDIAN TREASURE continued to over-race and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LITTLE RAINFOREST for some distance. He said because of this, approaching the 600 Metres, he shifted MERIDIAN TREASURE out away from the heels of LITTLE RAINFOREST. He added that MERIDIAN TREASURE came under pressure to maintain its position rounding the Home Turn and after initially responding to his riding in the early part of the Straight commenced to give ground from the 300 Metres. Apprentice Ng said he attributed today’s disappointing performance to the manner in which MERIDIAN TREASURE refused to settle in the early and middle stages. A veterinary inspection of MERIDIAN TREASURE, THEHEROINMYHEART, GREAT PEGASUS and BLOSSOM DAILY after the race did not show any significant findings. MERIDIAN TREASURE, LIFE OF BEAUTY and COOL BEAN were sent for sampling. <10/4/2012 Additional Veterinary Report>GREAT PEGASUS, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. GREAT PEGASUS was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer A Lee this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in the right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, GREAT PEGASUS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.