23/02/2014  Shatin  Race 6

After being loaded into the barriers, LET ME GO became fractious, reared and momentarily sat down. LET ME GO was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Whilst LET ME GO was undertaking its veterinary examination, CARTOON FAY FAY reared and got its right front leg into the adjoining stall. CARTOON FAY FAY was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse was lame in its right front leg and as such was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of CARTOON FAY FAY. Also after being loaded, BEST SHOW became fractious. Before being allowed to race again, LET ME GO and BEST SHOW will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test whilst CARTOON FAY FAY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BETTER ANNOUNCE began awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in WAYFOONG EXPRESS being crowded for room inside IMPERIAL CONCORDE. PERCY JACKSON and AXIOM bumped at the start. From wide barriers, LUCKY OMENS and JAMESINA were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Near the 1800 Metres, BETTER ANNOUNCE was momentarily crowded for room inside AXIOM (C Y Ho) which shifted in before being directed out by its rider. C Y Ho was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. At the 500 Metres, BETTER ANNOUNCE, which was under pressure, shifted out when being checked away from the heels of FAIRY EAGLE which, when giving ground abruptly, also shifted out. When BETTER ANNOUNCE shifted out, it hampered with JAMESINA which became unbalanced. LUCKY OMENS, which was following BETTER ANNOUNCE, was severely checked out away from the heels of that horse in consequence, resulting in LET ME GO and ENABLING both being badly hampered. Rounding the Home Turn, MALAYAN PEARL was steadied when crowded for room between KHAYA and AXIOM, both of which shifted slight ground. Near the 300 Metres, LUCKY OMENS shifted out and bumped LET ME GO. Close to the finishing line, PERCY JACKSON and IMPERIAL CONCORDE bumped. For the majority of the race, ENABLING travelled wide and without cover. The performances of FAIRY EAGLE, ENABLING and BETTER ANNOUNCE, all of which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FAIRY EAGLE, ENABLING and BETTER ANNOUNCE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, D Whyte (KHAYA) stated that approaching the 800 Metres he was following BETTER ANNOUNCE which itself was following FAIRY EAGLE and at this time his mount was positioned inside ENABLING which had endured a wide run. He said he was of the opinion that FAIRY EAGLE was going to give ground not long after this and felt that if he remained racing behind BETTER ANNOUNCE and inside ENABLING, he would not be able to obtain clear running when FAIRY EAGLE did commence to give ground. He said therefore he elected to shift his mount out away from the heels of BETTER ANNOUNCE near the 850 Metres. He said passing the 800 Metres KHAYA momentarily raced tight between ENABLING and BETTER ANNOUNCE which shifted out slightly and rather than be taken unnecessarily wider still, he elected to allow his mount to improve forward of BETTER ANNOUNCE so as to remain racing in a three wide position. He added whilst this resulted in KHAYA having to sustain a longer run than he would have preferred, he believed that this move was justified as FAIRY EAGLE gave ground rapidly after the 700 Metres. A veterinary inspection of LET ME GO, ENABLING and BETTER ANNOUNCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WAYFOONG EXPRESS and KHAYA were sent for sampling.