06/01/2013  Shatin  Race 2

CONFUCIUS ELITE was withdrawn on 4.1.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HANNIBAL BARCA (K C Leung). Before being allowed to race again, CONFUCIUS ELITE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MEGA began very awkwardly, shifted in and bumped SPEECHMAKER. A short distance after the start, MEGA was checked when crowded for room between SPEECHMAKER and TREASURE MAN which shifted out after bumping DIAMOND KNIGHT which began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, KOWLOON EAST KING shifted out and bumped JOY TOGETHER. Approaching the 800 Metres, PEACEFUL MISSION shifted out and bumped SPEECHMAKER. For some distance after the 800 Metres, DIAMOND KNIGHT got its head up and proved difficult to settle. Approaching the 600 Metres, JACK’S GEM shifted in and bumped MEGA. Passing the 400 Metres, SPEECHMAKER was steadied away from the heels of PEACEFUL MISSION which shifted out when giving ground. Over the final 300 Metres, HEY CHEERS got its head on the side and hung out. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of PEACEFUL MISSION, a favourite for today’s race, O Doleuze stated that the horse, which was having its first race start, began awkwardly, but then was able to take up a good position in the race. He said however that when he asked PEACEFUL MISSION for an effort after the 500 Metres, the horse immediately came under pressure and then was most disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground abruptly over the final stages. He said after the race PEACEFUL MISSION made a number of abnormal breathing noises which gave him the indication that the horse may have got its tongue back during the race. He added that he had ridden PEACEFUL MISSION in its trials and work leading up to today’s race and based on the manner in which the horse had worked, he anticipated it would be a strong chance in the race. Trainer R Gibson advised that it is his intention to work PEACEFUL MISSION in a tongue tie to assess whether this piece of gear will assist the horse in its future races. A veterinary inspection of PEACEFUL MISSION after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of JOY TOGETHER and KOWLOON EAST KING after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SPEECHMAKER after the race including an endoscopic examination confirmed the horse to be a “roarer” which had previously been reported. PEACEFUL MISSION, BRAVENESS and REGENCY CHAMPION were sent for sampling.