02/11/2008  Shatin  Race 4

GALLANT MASTER was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, CASH MONEY was taken back in the early stages. After the 1200 Metres, MEDALLION, which was racing wide and without cover, commenced to over-race. At the 1100 Metres, CONQUEROR and GALLANT HUSSAR bumped when GALLANT HUSSAR was carried in by LONGWAH RISING (B Doyle) which shifted in when not properly clear. B Doyle was reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, CONQUEROR and ENCOSTA DON bumped when crowded for room inside LONGWAH RISING which when proving difficult to settle shifted in. B Doyle was told to exercise greater care. In the early part of the Straight, MOONGLOW had some difficulty obtaining clear running and near the 250 Metres was shifted to the outside of CLASSIC REUNION to improve its position. At the 400 Metres, ENCOSTA DON was bumped by LONGWAH RISING which shifted to the inside of BREEZY WILL after being held up for clear running behind that horse. Near the 300 Metres, GALLANT MASTER was shifted to the inside of QUICK MONEY which was weakening. A short distance later, GALLANT MASTER was checked away from the heels of BREEZY WILL which was also giving ground. Over the final 100 Metres, LONGWAH RISING shifted out under pressure. The performance of QUICK MONEY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, QUICK MONEY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. G Mossé (GUAN DAO) said he had been instructed to ride the horse in 5th or 6th position with cover if possible. He said GUAN DAO began well and he allowed horses around him to go forward in an attempt to obtain a position with cover behind GALLANT HUSSAR. He said MOONGLOW was ridden along to improve on his inside after the 1200 Metres which prevented him from being able to shift in. He said as a consequence of the manner in which the race was run, GUAN DAO was left racing in a four wide position throughout. He said GUAN DAO travelled only fairly and after the 400 Metres began to shorten in its action. He said when placed under pressure after straightening GUAN DAO initially kept on one-paced until giving ground over the final 200 Metres. When questioned regarding the poor performance of GALLANT HUSSAR, M Du Plessis explained his mount travelled keenly throughout. He said GALLANT HUSSAR appeared unsettled when CONQUEROR was ridden along to maintain its position to his inside approaching the turn at the 800 Metres. He said following the race he recommended to the connections of GALLANT HUSSAR that they consider altering the gear in which the horse races and increasing the distance over which GALLANT HUSSAR races. GUAN DAO and GALLANT HUSSAR were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of GUAN DAO and GALLANT HUSSAR after the race did not show any significant findings. FLY ME TO THE MOON and LONGWAH RISING were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that BREEZY WILL had bled from its left nostril and an endoscopic examination confirmed the horse to be an official bleeder. He also reported that BREEZY WILL had sustained cuts to its left hind coronet and fetlock.