22/12/2012  Shatin  Race 6

TOM’S EIGHTH was withdrawn on 21.12.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter WINNING INSTINCT (W C Marwing). Before being allowed to race again, TOM’S EIGHTH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WINNING BEAR and BLOSSOM DAILY began awkwardly. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, PUBLIC FIGURE failed to muster speed. Passing the 300 Metres, WINNING INSTINCT got its head on the side and shifted out under pressure. KINGSTON SPARTACUS was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and near the 200 Metres was shifted to the inside of DILIGENT III to obtain clear running. When questioned, Trainer C W Chang stated that he had asked W C Marwing to ride WINNING INSTINCT in about 5th or 6th position today. He said these instructions were consistent with those he gave D Whyte who rode the horse at its most recent start on the All Weather surface when wearing blinkers for the first time. He said however that on that occasion the saddle shifted back shortly after the start which resulted in WINNING INSTINCT settling further back than had been intended. He said the circumstances of today’s race in the early stages resulted in WINNING INSTINCT having to race three wide and without cover in a forward position which had not been intended. The performances of HO WONGCHOY and MAKE A FORTUNE, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HO WONGCHOY and MAKE A FORTUNE will both 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 BLOSSOM DAILY including an endoscopic examination after the race showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. The performance of BLOSSOM DAILY, which finished tailed out and which had been successful at its two previous race starts, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BLOSSOM DAILY 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 HO WONGCHOY after the race did not show any significant findings. WINNING INSTINCT and FOLLOW THE WIND were sent for sampling.