22/12/2012  Shatin  Race 7

On arrival at the barriers, the tongue tie fitted to TREASURE GOLD was replaced. SUNNY YING began awkwardly and lost ground. After this, SUNNY YING was taken across behind runners. Soon after the start, TREASURE GOLD and HOLY MAC were crowded for room between LOMBARDI which shifted out and WINNING MASCOT which shifted in when being ridden along. After this, WINNING MASCOT continued to be ridden along, however, failed to muster speed. SPURS ON proved difficult to settle in the early stages. Passing the 400 Metres, HELENE FUN STAR was shifted in away from the heels of POLYMER WIN to obtain clear running. When questioned, Y T Cheng stated that he rode his mount along vigorously in the early stages to obtain a forward position as LUCKY WARRIOR had raced well when ridden this way previously. He said despite his riding of the horse in the early stages LUCKY WARRIOR did not show the anticipated early speed. He said he continued to ride LUCKY WARRIOR along for some distance to cross SPURS ON to its inside, however, LUCKY WARRIOR was not able to show sufficient speed to cross that horse adequately and therefore making the first turn LUCKY WARRIOR was left racing wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. He added that when being ridden along in the early stages, LUCKY WARRIOR made an abnormal breathing noise which worsened significantly when pulling up after the race. He said that after the race LUCKY WARRIOR appeared to him to be mildly distressed. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY WARRIOR including an endoscopic examination after the race confirmed the horse to be a “roarer”. A veterinary inspection of TREASURE GOLD after the race found that horse to be lame in the left front leg and to have blood at the mouth. Before being allowed to race again, TREASURE GOLD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HOLYANGELHOLY, HELENE FUN STAR and LOMBARDI were sent for sampling.