12/06/2013  Shatin  Race 5

RISING POWER, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 11.6.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore foot). Before being allowed to race again, RISING POWER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUPREME HONG KONG was slow to begin. CONFUCIUS ELITE shifted in at the start and bumped heavily with DARPANA which in turn bumped the hindquarters of GRACYTOM which also began awkwardly. As a consequence, GRACYTOM became badly unbalanced. From the outside barrier, MAROON PRINCE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the 900 Metres, CONFUCIUS ELITE was steadied to avoid the heels of LOADS OF JOY (G Mossé) which shifted in when insufficiently clear. G Mossé was advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance in similar circumstances. REAL CHAMPION got its head up and made the first turn awkwardly when racing wide. Approaching the 150 Metres, VIVA DOLPHIN was held up for clear running and approaching the 100 Metres was switched to the outside of EL GRANDE to obtain clear running. Over the concluding stages, CONFUCIUS ELITE raced in restricted room between REAL CHAMPION and SUPREME HONG KONG (R Fourie) which shifted out under pressure. R Fourie was reprimanded and advised that he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mount in similar circumstances. DARPANA, which was following CONFUCIUS ELITE, was steadied away from the heels of that horse close to the finishing line. LOADS OF JOY travelled wide and without cover throughout the race and in the Straight gave ground. After the race, Z Purton reported that MAROON PRINCE became fractious in the barriers and lunged at the front gates just prior to the start being effected. He said, in his opinion, this incident may have a bearing on the horse’s disappointing performance today. A veterinary inspection of MAROON PRINCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings other than the horse had lost its left front plate. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that EL GRANDE had lost its right front plate. A veterinary inspection of LOADS OF JOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of O’HALO immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. MAROON PRINCE, EL GRANDE and SUPREME HONG KONG were sent for sampling. <13/6/2013 Additional Veterinary Report> LOADS OF JOY, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. LOADS OF JOY was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer K W Lui this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, LOADS OF JOY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.