11/05/2013  Shatin  Race 10

CITY POWER was withdrawn on 10.5.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter GRAND ELITE (Z Purton). Before being allowed to race again, CITY POWER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUPREME WINNER was slow to begin. ELECTRONIC FORTUNE shifted out at the start and bumped COLLAGEN. Shortly after the start, LOMBARDI and KING DERBY bumped. In the early stages, JIMSON THE BEST was taken across behind runners to obtain cover. Passing the 1000 Metres, REWARDING HERO got its head up and lost ground when awkwardly placed close to the heels of ELECTRONIC FORTUNE. After the 800 Metres, ELECTRONIC FORTUNE and COLLAGEN were both left racing wide and without cover. Near the 700 Metres, REWARDING HERO got its head on the side and shifted out after being bumped by SUPER CAGA. Rounding the Home Turn, COLLAGEN got its head on the side and shifted out, resulting in MASTER SOMMELIER being crowded onto PRECISION ERA which was taken wider. GRAND ELITE (Z Purton) was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and at the 250 Metres was checked when unable to improve inside LOMBARDI where there was insufficient room. For a short distance after this, GRAND ELITE was held up for clear running behind LOMBARDI. Z Purton was reminded of his obligation to continue riding his mounts all the way to the finishing line wherever possible. SUPREME WINNER was unable to obtain clear running until near the 250 Metres. THE UNTOUCHABLELAD had difficulty obtaining clear running for some distance near the 150 Metres. Also near the 150 Metres, KING DERBY, which was giving ground, was steadied when crowded for room inside ELECTRONIC FORTUNE (H W Lai) which shifted in. H W Lai was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to keep his mount on a straight course. Passing the 100 Metres, GALLANT TRIUMPH shifted in and brushed REWARDING HERO. When questioned, D Whyte stated that as MASTER SOMMELIER had travelled too keenly in its most recent start when being ridden on the speed, it had been decided today to ride the horse more quietly with a view to having it finishing off the race. He said near the 1200 Metres MASTER SOMMELIER commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up when over-racing and in doing so shifted out abruptly away from the heels of REWARDING HERO, resulting in SUPREME WINNER being crowded for room inside JIMSON THE BEST which itself was checked when crowded for room inside PRECISION ERA. He said after this MASTER SOMMELIER continued to prove very difficult to settle and after the 1000 Metres took charge and shifted out abruptly away from REWARDING HERO and COLLAGEN, resulting in PRECISION ERA being hampered and taken wider. He added MASTER SOMMELIER continued to race intractably. A veterinary inspection of MASTER SOMMELIER immediately following the race revealed the horse to be lame in its right front leg. The racing manners of MASTER SOMMELIER were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MASTER SOMMELIER 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. The Stewards further ruled that MASTER SOMMELIER must be ridden by a senior rider in its trials and in its upcoming races. A veterinary inspection of GRAND ELITE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MASTER SOMMELIER, GALLANT TRIUMPH and FLYING CHAPARRAL were sent for sampling.