17/05/2014  Shatin  Race 4

On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie applied to CHATER D 'CAT was refitted. COPY STAR began awkwardly, shifted out and in doing so bumped the hindquarters of PRINCE OF SUNSHINE which became unbalanced. KING HARADASUN was slow to begin. EVERSPRING was steadied and shifted across behind runners shortly after the start. Making the turn after the winning post on the first occasion, COPY STAR was momentarily steadied away from the heels of PRINCE OF SUNSHINE which was racing tight inside WINNER 'S DELIGHT. In the early stages, when being ridden along, SIR JOHN got its head on the side, shifted out and was initially reluctant to shift across to join the main body of the field. Near the 1500 Metres, GOLDLAND DANCER was crowded for room between ABSOLUTE FANTASY and SUPER CAGA which was taken out by WINNER 'S DELIGHT which shifted ground marginally. Approaching the 1500 Metres, VERDANE was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of CRIMSON HEART. Approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, COPY STAR raced tight inside GOLDLAND DANCER after being bumped by that horse which shifted in. After the 1000 Metres, ABSOLUTE FANTASY was left racing wide and without cover. After the 600 Metres, COPY STAR got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of CRUISE CONTROL. Approaching the 100 Metres, CRIMSON HEART shifted out and bumped PRINCE OF SUNSHINE. The performances of SIR JOHN, FLYING IN and COPY STAR, which all finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SIR JOHN, FLYING IN and COPY 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. When questioned, Z Purton stated that he had been asked to ride WINNER 'S DELIGHT in the lead as the horse had trialed since its last start success when ridden in the front and it had performed well in that barrier trial. Further, he said as it appeared as though horses racing close to the speed and towards the fence had been advantaged on the All Weather Track during recent racemeetings, he was asked to ensure that the horse obtained a forward position if possible. He said after having to ride WINNER 'S DELIGHT along for some distance after the start, he was able to shift in to race outside CRIMSON HEART in the lead passing the 1400 Metres and then continued on to obtain the outright lead near the 1000 Metres. He added after this WINNER 'S DELIGHT travelled keenly, however, as the horse had travelled in a similar manner during its most recent barrier trial, this did not concern him. He said after entering the Straight he placed WINNER 'S DELIGHT under pressure and the horse immediately came off the bridle and did not respond to his riding. He said although WINNER 'S DELIGHT became quite unbalanced when bumped by VERDANE passing the 300 Metres, it was a beaten horse at this stage and he was not able to explain the horse 's disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of WINNER 'S DELIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of WINNER 'S DELIGHT was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, WINNER 'S DELIGHT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, N Callan reported that after becoming unbalanced near the 1500 Metres, GOLDLAND DANCER then travelled satisfactorily until near the 600 Metres after which the horse came under pressure and then was disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding. A veterinary inspection of GOLDLAND DANCER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that ABSOLUTE FANTASY had suffered heat stress. The performance of ABSOLUTE FANTASY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ABSOLUTE FANTASY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WINNER 'S DELIGHT, PRINCE OF SUNSHINE and CRIMSON HEART were sent for sampling.