16/10/2013  Shatin  Race 7

Shortly after the start, HYPERSONIC was steadied away from the heels of OVETT which was taken in by GETAWAY GUY which was taken in by TURIN CHAMPION (K C Leung). K C Leung was advised to exercise more care. Making the first turn near the 700 Metres, OVETT was steadied to avoid the heels of BUNDLE OF JOY (D Whyte) which shifted in. D Whyte was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in future. Also making the first turn near the 700 Metres, DINING STAR and CITY POWER bumped, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. GREAT SPIRIT, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence. Passing the 700 Metres, GREEN ZONE was awkwardly placed inside the heels of BOULD MOVER which, despite the efforts of its rider, got its head on the side and shifted in. Near the 500 Metres, K Teetan (OVETT) became unbalanced in the saddle after his right foot slipped from the stirrup iron. DINING STAR and GREAT SPIRIT, which were following, were hampered in consequence. Also near the 500 Metres, CITY POWER was hampered and PEARL STAR checked when crowded for room inside HYPERSONIC which, when improving to the inside of the heels of BOULD MOVER, got its head on the side and lay in and then was taken in marginally by BOULD MOVER. As the Stewards believed that there were some circumstances with this incident, no further action was taken. GREAT SPIRIT was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn. Throughout the race, BOULD MOVER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BUNDLE OF JOY, D Whyte stated that after being able to obtain the lead without having to make too much use of BUNDLE OF JOY, the horse travelled comfortably until joined by TURIN CHAMPION and GREEN ZONE prior to the Home Turn. He said BUNDLE OF JOY came under pressure to hold its position and after giving him a brief response was then disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race. He added after the race he suggested to the connections that they consider riding BUNDLE OF JOY more quietly in its future races as, in his opinion, the horse does not concentrate when ridden in the lead. He said although the connections added sheepskin cheek pieces to the horse’s gear in an attempt to have it concentrate better in its races, he believed that BUNDLE OF JOY was still not properly focused. A veterinary inspection of BUNDLE OF JOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings other than the horse had lost its right hind plate during the race. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of DINING STAR, Z Purton was again at a loss to explain its poor run. He said DINING STAR performs particularly well in track work, however, it is not showing that same endeavour in its races. He said DINING STAR had become increasingly worked up prior to the start and after being loaded reared and was again slow to begin. He added DINING STAR did not travel comfortably at any stage of the race and gave ground appreciably in the Straight to finish tailed off. A veterinary inspection of DINING STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of DINING STAR was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DINING STAR 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 CITY POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BUNDLE OF JOY, GREEN ZONE and TURIN CHAMPION were sent for sampling.