12/02/2013  Shatin  Race 8

On entering the track, AEROVELOCITY made contact with a running rail. On arrival at the Start, AEROVELOCITY was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. After the race, it was noted that AEROVELOCITY had sustained a small wound on the upper lip. On arrival at the barriers, the tongue tie fitted to SPARKLING B was replaced. After being loaded, SPARKLING B became fractious and reared. Before being allowed to race again, SPARKLING B will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. DIAMOND ELEGANCE shifted out at the start, resulting in FORMULA WON and PSYCHOLOGIST, which began awkwardly, being crowded for room inside BUNDLE OF LOVE. Approaching the 900 Metres, SIR EAGLES was steadied away from the heels of PSYCHOLOGIST which shifted out. Prior to the 600 Metres, DIAMOND ELEGANCE got its head on the side and hung out under pressure. When questioned, C Y Ho stated that he was asked, from the inside barrier, to shift SPARKLING B, which was having its first race start in Hong Kong today, across behind runners in the early stages. He said after shifting SPARKLING B in behind BO BO EXPRESS shortly after the start, he commenced to urge his mount forward to remain in contact with the majority of the field. He said however that SPARKLING B could not go the early pace of today’s race and consequently got out of its ground in the early stages. He said he continued to niggle at SPARKLING B to make up ground and prior to the 600 Metres began to slap the horse down the shoulder with the whip in an endeavour to have it improve its position. He said SPARKLING B did not immediately respond to his riding and in fact appeared to resent his urgings, therefore near the 400 Metres he commenced to use the whip on the horse to have it improve its position. He added that over the final 200 Metres SPARKLING B made up considerable ground and finished off the race strongly. C Y Ho was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he must make every endeavour to ensure that his mounts do not get too far out of their ground. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of JUN DAO, Y T Cheng stated that his mount was able to travel into a forward position in the early stages as it had done in its recent starts. He said however that JUN DAO came under pressure prior to the 400 Metres to hold its position and despite being ridden along weakened noticeably over the concluding stages. He added, in his opinion, JUN DAO appeared to race like a “tired” horse. A veterinary inspection of JUN DAO after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of JUN DAO was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, JUN DAO 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 DIAMOND ELEGANCE after the race did not show any significant findings. LITTLE COW and ORIENTAL PROSPER were sent for sampling.