15/07/2012  Shatin  Race 10

After being loaded, CULTURAL CITY became fractious. Before being allowed to race again, CULTURAL CITY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. COMMON GOAL was slow to begin. FLYING SMART shifted in at the start and bumped GLENEALY STAR. From the outside barriers, SUNNY FAY and FRESH AIR were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After the 1200 Metres, STRATHTAY proved difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied to obtain cover. Near the 550 Metres, FOREVER ELATION was bumped and taken wider by OPEN SESAME which shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of CULTURAL CITY. Rounding the Home Turn, STRATHTAY was shifted to the inside of SUNNY FAY after being disappointed for running to the outside of that horse and inside FRESH AIR. Near the 350 Metres, IT HAS TO BE YOU became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by CULTURAL CITY (T Clark) which attempted to shift out from behind SHARE OF GOLD into clear running. T Clark was advised to show due care when attempting to obtain clear running. After the 300 Metres, COMMON GOAL got its head on the side, lay in and proved difficult to ride. Close to the finishing line, CULTURAL CITY was momentarily steadied away from the heels of IT HAS TO BE YOU which shifted in. SUNNY FAY, which was following, was shifted away from the heels of CULTURAL CITY in consequence. Throughout the race, TIPPERARY DAVOR travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of TIPPERARY DAVOR after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of TIPPERARY DAVOR, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TIPPERARY DAVOR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, B Prebble stated that he had been asked to ride HOLLYWOOD KISS in a midfield position or slightly better but with cover if possible. He said, from barrier 10, he shifted HOLLYWOOD KISS across to obtain cover rather than ride his mount along as he did not believe it would be available to him to obtain a position with cover as instructed without being left wide. He said this resulted in HOLLYWOOD KISS racing further back than had been intended. He said however that when ridden in this manner, HOLLYWOOD KISS travelled well throughout the race and was able to close off its race. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SUNNY FAY had lost both front plates. IT HAS TO BE YOU and STRATHTAY were sent for sampling.