10/01/2015  Shatin  Race 9

TOO FAST was withdrawn on 9.1.15 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (superficial abrasions and stiff action) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter PO CHING TREASURE (N Rawiller). Before being allowed to race again, TOO FAST will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BULLISH SMART shifted out at the start and bumped SPEEDY WALLY. Shortly after the start, PO CHING TREASURE was bumped by EASTERN DRAGON which was taken out by TRAVEL FIRST. Approaching and passing the 1300 Metres, SPEEDY WALLY got its head up on a number of occasions when proving very difficult to settle. After the 1000 Metres, MODERN TSAR was left racing wide and without cover. PO CHING TREASURE lay out rounding the Home Turn. GRAND ELITE was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. STEP HIGH was badly held up for clear running until approaching the 200 Metres. STEP HIGH was again held up for clear running passing the 150 Metres and after the 100 Metres was checked away from the heels of TRAVEL FIRST. Then close to the finishing line, STEP HIGH was again checked away from the heels of TRAVEL FIRST. Because of this, STEP HIGH was not able to be properly tested. When questioned, D Whyte stated that, from the outside barrier, it had been intended for HAPPY SUMMER to be ridden in a forward position if possible. He said in accordance with his instructions he urged HAPPY SUMMER along in the early stages, however, the horse did not show the anticipated early speed and he was of the belief that he would have had to ride HAPPY SUMMER aggressively for the horse to cross runners to his inside and possibly lead. He said for this reason he followed PO CHING TREASURE across whilst continuing to allow the horse to stride forward. He said after the 1400 Metres it remained apparent to him that he would have had to make considerable use of HAPPY SUMMER to cross runners to his inside despite the moderate tempo of the race and therefore he attempted to obtain cover on HAPPY SUMMER. He added when he was not able to shift in behind runners, HAPPY SUMMER was left racing wide and without cover. He said he attempted to improve his position after the 600 Metres, however, FLYING UNICORN shifted out to his inside, resulting in HAPPY SUMMER being taken wider. He said in the Straight HAPPY SUMMER finished off the race one-paced and therefore he recommended to connections that they consider stepping the horse up in distance in its future starts which may allow it to take up a forward position without having to be aggressively ridden. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY SUMMER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of BULLISH SMART and MODERN TSAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TRAVEL FIRST, RED DANCER and FLYING UNICORN were sent for sampling.