26/06/2011  Shatin  Race 9

On arrival at the Start, W C Marwing expressed concern over the action of ARION OF CHIU TON. ARION OF CHIU TON was examined by the Veterinary Officer who, after the necessary consultations, said that the horse was suitable to race. SURVEY SURVEY, which was difficult to load, will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test before being allowed to race again. COSTA DEL SOL, which was fractious in the barriers, was slow to begin and then shortly after the start was checked when crowded for room between SURVEY SURVEY which itself was also checked away from the heels of EASTERN EMPIRE which shifted out and JOLLY FINE which was taken in by OUR DYNASTY which itself was taken in by ATHENIUM which shifted ground abruptly after beginning awkwardly. VICTORY MASCOT was slow to begin. From wide barriers, MASTER ELITE and VILASOL were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. At the 1400 Metres, JOLLY FINE got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of OUR DYNASTY (J Lloyd) which shifted in. J Lloyd was advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. For some distance after this, JOLLY FINE continued to get its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of OUR DYNASTY. Near the 600 Metres, ATHENIUM was steadied away from the heels of SUPREME KNIGHT which shifted out from behind PROJECT RUNWAY. After this, ATHENIUM gave ground. OUR DYNASTY, which was following, was shifted out away from the heels of ATHENIUM, resulting in TREASURE GOLD being taken wider. For the major part of the race, TREASURE GOLD travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of ATHENIUM, Apprentice C Y Ho stated that he had been instructed that as ATHENIUM has a short sprint to hold the horse up until about the 300 Metres before making his finishing run. He said however that after the 600 Metres ATHENIUM was already under pressure to maintain its position and dipped on a number of occasions and soon after commenced to give ground. He said he placed ATHENIUM under pressure approaching the 300 Metres, however, the horse did not respond to his riding and weakened badly. A veterinary inspection of ATHENIUM after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. The performance of ATHENIUM, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ATHENIUM 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 regarding the disappointing performance of COSTA DEL SOL, D Whyte stated that after encountering difficulties at the start, he was able to obtain a satisfactory position on COSTA DEL SOL as he was able to obtain cover behind TREASURE GOLD. He said that throughout the run COSTA DEL SOL travelled well and he expected that despite the difficulties at the start that COSTA DEL SOL would finish off the race. He said in the early part of the Straight he placed COSTA DEL SOL under pressure and when struck with the whip in the left hand the horse shifted in near the 300 Metres. He said for this reason he elected to change the whip into his right hand and when struck on two occasions the horse then wanted to shift out. He added after this COSTA DEL SOL finished off the race only fairly and, in his opinion, was disappointing in that it failed to show any turn of foot. A veterinary inspection of TREASURE GOLD, COSTA DEL SOL and VILASOL after the race did not show any significant findings. COSTA DEL SOL, SUPREME KNIGHT and ARION OF CHIU TON were sent for sampling. <27/6/2011 Additional Veterinary Report>ATHENIUM, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. ATHENIUM was again examined by the Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison at the stables of Trainer S Woods this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in the right front leg. As previously advised, ATHENIUM will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.