01/01/2013  Shatin  Race 5

MR MARFACH was slow to begin. HAPPY WISDOM began very awkwardly and got its head up on a number of occasions. STARLIT WARRIOR was crowded for room at the start between MEDIC CHAMPION and MR SPEEDY which shifted out after beginning awkwardly. Shortly after the start, SABINA shifted in of its own accord and made contact with the running rail, resulting in the horse becoming unbalanced. In the early stages, FULL STAR failed to muster speed and shortly after the start was taken across behind runners. Near the 1700 Metres, HAPPY WISDOM was checked away from the heels of FULL STAR. Near the 1400 Metres, RAIN OF THUNDER commenced to prove very difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of FULL VALUE for some distance. METREVELLI, which was following, was hampered in consequence and HAPPY WISDOM, which was following METREVELLI and also proving difficult to settle, got its head up when being checked away from the heels of that horse. After this, HAPPY WISDOM continued to prove difficult to settle for some distance. Near the 700 Metres, RAIN OF THUNDER had to be checked away from the heels of FULL VALUE. In the early part of the Straight, SABINA was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FULL VALUE. Then when under pressure in the Straight, SABINA got its head on the side and lay in. Throughout the race, TOP POWER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, D Whyte stated that after obtaining a good position behind the leaders in the early stages, SUNNY SKY travelled well until after the 600 Metres. He said near the 500 Metres he attempted to shift away from the rail to provide him with the opportunity to shift out when required, however, SUNNY SKY immediately got its head on the side and hung in badly. He said he continued to attempt to shift SUNNY SKY away from the rail, however, the more he attempted to do this, the more the horse hung in and got its head up. He added that near the 300 Metres he was able to shift SUNNY SKY into a position one horse off the rail and avail himself of the run to the outside of MR SPEEDY, however, as soon as he commenced to ride SUNNY SKY along, the horse again hung in badly and shifted back in across the heels of MR SPEEDY. He said SUNNY SKY then continued to hang in badly for the remainder of the race. A veterinary inspection of SUNNY SKY after the race found the horse to be lame in the left front leg. The performance of SUNNY SKY, a favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUNNY SKY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SICHUAN LEGEND and SOLAR WONDER after the race did not show any significant findings. SUNNY SKY, FULL VALUE and MEDIC CHAMPION were sent for sampling.