15/09/2013  Shatin  Race 8

Both SPOKE TO CARLO and TURIN CHAMPION began awkwardly. Despite being vigorously ridden along for some distance in the early stages, GREEN ZONE failed to muster speed and for the majority of the race travelled wide and without cover. From outside barriers, BO BO EXPRESS and GREAT SPIRIT were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. M Chadwick (BOULD MOVER) reported that his saddle shifted to the left hand side near the 800 Metres, placing him at a disadvantage for the remainder of the race. Making the first turn near the 700 Metres, SPOKE TO CARLO shifted out away from the heels of MASQUERADER and in doing so crowded TURIN CHAMPION out onto SMILING WATCH, causing both those horses to become unbalanced. BO BO EXPRESS, which was following, was inconvenienced as a consequence. After the 600 Metres, TURIN CHAMPION was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GETAWAY GUY. Near the 150 Metres, D Whyte (HYPERSONIC) dropped his right rein. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MASQUERADER, Z Purton stated that the horse travelled strongly behind the leader, HAPPY FOREVER in the early and middle stages. He said however that near the 450 Metres MASQUERADER came under pressure and momentarily lost its action. He said because of the way in which MASQUERADER commenced to give ground and because of concerns he held over its action, he felt that the horse may be experiencing a problem and therefore after riding his mount along for a short distance in the early part of the Straight, he eased it down over the final 300 Metres. He said by this time MASQUERADER had lost a significant amount of ground. A veterinary inspection of MASQUERADER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Trainer A T Millard stated that after barrier trialing strongly in the lead up to today’s race, MASQUERADER had pleased him in its track work and a forward showing was anticipated today. He said he was concerned with the manner in which MASQUERADER gave ground as abruptly as it did and indicated to him that it may be the horse experiencing a problem. He said as the Veterinary Officer was not able to detect any significant findings after the race, he would therefore have the horse to be subjected to a number of examinations to establish whether there is an underlying problem which resulted in it racing poorly today. The performance of MASQUERADER was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MASQUERADER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MASQUERADER, HYPERSONIC and GREAT SPIRIT were sent for sampling. <16/9/2013 Additional Veterinary Report> The Veterinary Officer reported that HAPPY FOREVER was found to be lame in its right front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY FOREVER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.