01/01/2015  Shatin  Race 8

WINDICATOR STAR began very awkwardly and shortly after the start was crowded for room between DASHING CERAMIBO which shifted in and GRIMMY which was taken out by MASTER PINNACLE. ORACLE, which was leaning on the inside of its stall, was slow to begin. YOU ARE THE ONE began awkwardly. DASHING CERAMIBO had difficulty obtaining clear running approaching and passing the 400 Metres. Near the 350 Metres, SUGAR, which was racing tight with HAPPY BAO BEI, was checked when crowded for room between HAPPY BAO BEI and FREE NOVEMBER which, when laying in, shifted in marginally. WINDICATOR STAR, which was following, was checked away from the heels of SUGAR in consequence. As the Stewards were of the opinion that there was no carelessness exhibited by any rider in this incident, no further action was taken. ROMAN LEGEND lost its left hind plate at the 350 Metres. Approaching the 200 Metres, COUNTRY MELODY got its head on the side and lay out under pressure. Near the 200 Metres, SUGAR, which was giving ground, was checked away from the heels of HAPPY BAO BEI which shifted out away from DASHING CERAMIBO which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of ROMAN LEGEND. NO MONEY NO TALK was badly held up for clear running until passing the 200 Metres. After passing the 200 Metres, FREE NOVEMBER, which was commencing to give ground, was badly hampered and became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by DASHING CERAMIBO which shifted out away the heels of ROMAN LEGEND which was laying out. FREE NOVEMBER was at the same stage also awkward inside NO MONEY NO TALK which shifted in marginally to obtain clear running to the inside of YOU ARE THE ONE. Near the 50 Metres, ROMAN LEGEND was steadied when racing in restricted room between DASHING CERAMIBO and GRIMMY which got its head on the side and shifted out away from TOUCH GO. When questioned, O Doleuze stated that he had to ride FREE NOVEMBER along in the early stages to take up a forward position. He said FREE NOVEMBER then commenced to travel satisfactorily, however, came off the bridle passing the 500 Metres where it got its head on the side and lay in. He said although FREE NOVEMBER was checked after the 200 Metres, the horse was already under significant pressure. He added the manner in which FREE NOVEMBER stopped badly in the race indicated to him that it may be experiencing some internal problems. A veterinary inspection of FREE NOVEMBER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, FREE NOVEMBER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SUGAR 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, SUGAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DANE PATROL and COUNTRY MELODY were sent for sampling.