08/07/2012  Shatin  Race 5

POLYMER WIN, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 6.7.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (swollen right fore tendon). Before being allowed to race again, POLYMER WIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FRESH AIR shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of DOUBLE DRAGON which became unbalanced. CORPORAL JONES was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, SUPERNINSKY was crowded for room between GENE POWER and CAPE CANAVERAL which was taken in by GREEN ZONE. Near the 850 Metres, DEEP THINKER got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPER CAGA. Rounding the Home Turn, SUPERNINSKY was steadied away from the heels of GREEN ZONE which was taken wider by GENE POWER which shifted out to obtain clear running. FRESH AIR had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. When questioned, C K Tong stated that he had been instructed to be positive on GREEN ZONE and lead if possible. He said from a wide barrier he rode his mount along in the early stages, however, it soon became apparent to him that he would not be able to cross DOUBLE DRAGON to his inside and therefore he elected to shift GREEN ZONE across behind that horse and obtain a position with cover. He said near the 1000 Metres he commenced to shift GREEN ZONE across with a view to obtaining a position behind CAPE CANAVERAL and in front of GENE POWER, however, after the 900 Metres CAPE CANAVERAL was steadied by its rider to allow DOUBLE DRAGON to cross and because of this GREEN ZONE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CAPE CANAVERAL and was not able to shift in behind that horse. He said for this reason GREEN ZONE travelled wide throughout the race. C K Tong was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he should make every endeavour to avoid covering unnecessary ground wherever possible. When questioned, T Angland stated that he was aware that FLYING TOGETHER had a previous history of hanging out in its races. He said in the early stages he allowed the horse to obtain a forward position and shortly after the start the horse commenced to get its head on the side and hang out. He said as he attempted to shift the horse in to a position closer to the rail, his saddle shifted around to the right hand side as he transferred his body weight on the horse to assist it to shift in. He said despite this, FLYING TOGETHER continued to hang out and he was not able to shift in to assume a position on the rail. He said after the 600 Metres FLYING TOGETHER commenced to race more genuinely, however, at this time HAPPY CERAMIBO had improved its position to the inside of FLYING TOGETHER and for this reason he was obliged to have to continue to race in a position one horse off the rail. The performance of FLYING TOGETHER, which had previously been barred for hanging out in its races, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FLYING TOGETHER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a series of consecutive official barrier trials around a bend. Throughout the race, DOUBLE DRAGON, which was positioned to the outside of FLYING TOGETHER, travelled wide and without cover. M Zahra (STREET CAT) reported that after standing well in the barriers, when the start was effected, his mount stood flat-footed. He said he urged STREET CAT vigorously to have it leave the barriers, however, despite his urgings, STREET CAT refused to jump from the stalls until the field had travelled a considerable distance. Mr T K Ng, the trainer of STREET CAT, stated that the horse had been slow to begin on occasions, however, had not missed the start as it did today whilst he has been training the horse. A veterinary inspection of STREET CAT after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being permitted to race again, STREET CAT, which had previously been barred on one occasion for standing flat-footed at the start, will be required to undergo a series of satisfactory consecutive official barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, B Prebble (GENE POWER) stated that his mount travelled strongly rounding the Home Turn at which time he was able to shift out into clear running. He said when he did this, GENE POWER momentarily got its head on the side and lay out, however, when placed under pressure in the early part of the Straight responded well to his riding and commenced to close off the race strongly. He said however that after the 300 Metres GENE POWER got its head up and then, despite being ridden out, was reluctant to stretch out and, in his opinion, did not feel comfortable in its action. A veterinary inspection of GENE POWER after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, GENE POWER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DEEP THINKER and SUPER CAGA were sent for sampling.