17/10/2012  Shatin  Race 6

FURTHER DETAIL was withdrawn on 16.10.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore left fore tendon) and was replaced by 1st Standby Declared Starter JOYFUL LUCK (K C Leung). GOLD RACER was also withdrawn on 16.10.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by 2nd Standby Declared Starter SUPERNINSKY (T Clark). PALEPALE was withdrawn on 16.10.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore foot). Before being allowed to race again, FURTHER DETAIL, GOLD RACER and PALEPALE will all be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUPERNINSKY and GERONIMO MEADOW were slow to begin. From the outside barrier, JOYFUL LUCK was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. For some distance after the 800 Metres, JOYFUL LUCK commenced to over-race and was checked away from the heels of LUCKY GAINS. Making the first turn after the 700 Metres, GERONIMO MEADOW got its head on the side and hung out across the heels of SUPERNINSKY. At the same time, LUCKY GAINS also got its head on the side and hung out. After being bumped by BUNDLE OF LOVE approaching the 700 Metres, FLYING SMART was left racing wide and without cover. After the 600 Metres, JOYFUL LUCK and LUCKY GAINS were taken wider by GERONIMO MEADOW which continued to hang out badly. Before being allowed to race again, GERONIMO MEADOW will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial around a bend. When questioned, D Whyte (BUNDLE OF LOVE) stated that he had been instructed by Mr J Size, the trainer of the horse, to obtain a position behind the leaders from barrier 1 and to shift away from the fence when he was able to so as to ensure that BUNDLE OF LOVE was able to obtain clear running. He said it was felt that had BUNDLE OF LOVE been committed to race on the fence the horse may not be able to improve its position and may get caught behind tiring runners. He said BUNDLE OF LOVE had been ridden behind the speed in its previous start when successful. He said after beginning well, he observed EVER BEAUTY improving its position to his outside and he expected that this horse, which had shown pace in previous races, would lead tonight’s race. He said he also observed LIFELINE ELITE being ridden along from a wider barrier into a forward position. He said shortly after the start he steadied BUNDLE OF LOVE to obtain a position behind EVER BEAUTY as he anticipated that that horse would lead and LIFELINE ELITE would be left racing to its outside. He said however that after obtaining the position behind EVER BEAUTY, that horse was steadied to allow LIFELINE ELITE to cross, therefore he immediately shifted BUNDLE OF LOVE away from the heels of EVER BEAUTY into a position one horse off the fence and following GREEN ZONE which at this time was improving its position to race at the hindquarters of the leader LIFELINE ELITE. He added that making the first turn the pace of the race steadied somewhat and BUNDLE OF LOVE commenced to over-race and became awkwardly placed close to the heels of GREEN ZONE. He said when this happened, BUNDLE OF LOVE shifted out away from the heels of GREEN ZONE and in doing so made heavy contact with FLYING SMART on a number of occasions, causing that horse to be taken wider. He said after making the first turn he was able to shift BUNDLE OF LOVE back in behind GREEN ZONE, however, no sooner had he done this than BUNDLE OF LOVE immediately came off the bridle and had to be ridden along to maintain its position on the back of GREEN ZONE. He said he continued to ride BUNDLE OF LOVE vigorously to maintain its position, however, it was reluctant to hold its position behind GREEN ZONE and inside FLYING SMART. He added rounding the Home Turn GREEN ZONE improved its position, however, BUNDLE OF LOVE was not able to improve with that horse despite being placed under heavy pressure. He said he continued to ride BUNDLE OF LOVE out vigorously in the Straight, however, the horse did not respond to his riding as it did at its most recent start and, in his opinion, was disappointing. Trainer J Size advised the Stewards that prior to the race it was felt that both EVER BEAUTY and LIFELINE ELITE would travel in forward positions. He said, from barrier 1, he advised Jockey Whyte to allow these horses to cross as he did not want BUNDLE OF LOVE becoming engaged in a speed battle and further he asked Jockey Whyte to come away from the fence if possible as, in his opinion, LIFELINE ELITE in particular would have difficulty running out a strong 1200 Metres and it was felt that if it were to be caught behind that horse, BUNDLE OF LOVE’s chances in the race would be affected. He said by instructing Jockey Whyte to come away from the fence, it was hoped that the horse would be able to obtain clear running rounding the Home Turn and then in the Straight be able to close off the race. He added tonight after being crossed by EVER BEAUTY, BUNDLE OF LOVE then appeared to resent the kickback which it did not do at its most recent stat when travelling behind a horse. He said, in his opinion, BUNDLE OF LOVE was disappointing in that it failed to finish off its race as it did at its previous start and that he was completely satisfied with the manner in which Jockey Whyte had ridden the horse in the race. A veterinary inspection of BUNDLE OF LOVE after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY GAINS including an endoscopic examination after the race showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY GAINS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BUNDLE OF LOVE, GREEN ZONE and LIFELINE ELITE were sent for sampling.