02/03/2013  Shatin  Race 6

After being loaded, CHEERS JOY became fractious and got its left hind leg on the platform. CHEERS JOY was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse was found to be lame in the left hind leg and to have sustained abrasions over the point of the left hock and as such was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of CHEERS JOY. Before being allowed to race again, CHEERS JOY will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TURIN CHAMPION and NEW GREENFIELD were bumped by MAGNUMOUS which shifted out at the start. From a wide barrier, CULTURAL CITY was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After the 1400 Metres, ALL FRIENDS got its head up and proved difficult to settle when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPEEDYGONZALEZ. Approaching the 1200 Metres, EAGLE POWER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MAGNUMOUS. Approaching the 1100 Metres, SPEEDYGONZALEZ commenced to travel keenly and had to be restrained away from the heels of HORSE APLENTY. Passing the 1000 Metres, SPEEDYGONZALEZ (Z Purton) became unbalanced when bumped by MAGNUMOUS (M Chadwick) which shifted out. After this, MAGNUMOUS and SPEEDYGONZALEZ bumped on a number of occasions as Z Purton attempted to maintain his position. M Chadwick was advised that whilst competitive riding is encouraged and that riders should improve their positions wherever the opportunity is available, nonetheless they must do so with due care. ALL FRIENDS, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of SPEEDYGONZALEZ. Z Purton stated that after this incident his mount was obliged to race three wide and without cover. He said he placed SPEEDYGONZALEZ under pressure in the Straight, however, the horse did not respond to his riding and was disappointing. He said, in his opinion, SPEEDYGONZALEZ appeared timid and was not able to overcome being unbalanced passing the 1000 Metres. A veterinary inspection of SPEEDYGONZALEZ immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SPEEDYGONZALEZ, EAGLE POWER and CULTURAL CITY were sent for sampling.