17/11/2013  Shatin  Race 1

APOLLO CAVALIER began awkwardly, shifted out and in doing so bumped the hindquarters of CARE FREE ELEGANCE which became unbalanced. From wide barriers, FUN HEROES and CROATIA were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the 1000 Metres, CLUB LIFE got its head up when being steadied to allow APOLLO CAVALIER to cross. Passing the 800 Metres, SPEEDYGONZALEZ momentarily raced in restricted room inside KYNAM. CHARTER VICTORIA had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. When questioned, J Moreira stated that after obtaining a good position in the early stages, KYNAM was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PHANMA approaching the 700 Metres. He said for this reason he shifted KYNAM out into a three wide position behind HINYUEN PALADIN. He said after the 600 Metres HINYUEN PALADIN came under pressure to maintain its position and as REDWOOD BABY was improving to the outside of KYNAM, he elected to shift KYNAM out from behind HINYUEN PALADIN into a four wide position rather than have his mount become pocketed behind HINYUEN PALADIN and to the inside of REDWOOD BABY. He added at the entrance to the Straight KYNAM became unbalanced after being buffeted for room between REDWOOD BABY and HINYUEN PALADIN which was taken out by PHANMA. He said he placed KYNAM under pressure in the early part of the Straight, however, the horse did not show any turn of foot, got its head on to the side and commenced to hang in. He said KYNAM continued to lay in under pressure in the Straight which it did not do when he rode the horse at its most recent start. He said although the circumstances of today’s race resulted in the horse having to be shifted out into clear running earlier than he would have preferred, nonetheless KYNAM was very disappointing in its failure to quicken when asked and its subsequent failure to respond to his riding in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of KYNAM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of APOLLO CAVALIER immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, APOLLO CAVALIER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. KYNAM, CLUB LIFE and MEDIC KINGDOM were sent for sampling.