04/01/2009  Shatin  Race 1

COP HILL LAD was withdrawn on 2.1.09 by order of the Stewards (retired on 2.1.09) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter PERFECT ATHLETE. TIMBER CITY was withdrawn on 3.1.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (substantial amount of mucopus in trachea on scoping after exercise). Before being allowed to race again, TIMBER CITY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MAINLAND MASTER bounded in the air at the start. DOUBLE FANTASY and SUPER FAMILY were slow to begin. On jumping, PERFECT ATHLETE blundered. At the 1000 Metres, ABLE STANDARD was momentarily steadied away from the heels of MAINLAND MASTER which shifted in when not quite clear. Apprentice K C Leung (MR FLOODLIGHT) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that commencing to make the turn at the 700 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in, causing crowding on his inside to SUPER FAMILY, NEWSWIRE TOO and ROCKALOT, resulting in those horses being unnecessarily crowded for room, losing the running to which they were rightfully entitled and being checked. BAYVIEW GREYSLEW, which was following, was checked in consequence. Apprentice Leung was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 15 January 2009 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting next Wednesday 7 January 2009. Near the 600 Metres, NEWSWIRE TOO was steadied away from the heels of SUPER FAMILY which shifted out. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, ABLE STANDARD was steadied away from the heels of MAINLAND MASTER which steadied away from the heels of PERFECT ATHLETE. At the 500 Metres, NEWSWIRE TOO was checked to avoid the heels of SUPER FAMILY which became unbalanced in its action and lost ground. In the Straight, SUPER FAMILY hung in. When questioned regarding the poor performance of HOT SUN, P H Lo said as HOT SUN did not show natural early speed today, he was required to make use of the horse in the early stages to obtain a forward position as instructed. He said HOT SUN was able to obtain a forward position, however, was obliged to travel three wide and without cover outside the lead throughout the race. He said in the Straight when placed under pressure HOT SUN failed to respond to his riding due to the tough run the horse had endured. HOT SUN and MR FLOODLIGHT were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of HOT SUN and MR FLOODLIGHT after the race did not show any significant findings. DOUBLE FANTASY and PERFECT ATHLETE were sent for sampling.