06/02/2016  Shatin  Race 3

COOL PAL began very awkwardly and lost ground. STRIKE EAGLE became fractious as the start was effected and was slow to begin. GOLD TARTINI was crowded for room on jumping between KEEN TACTICS and GLAMOROUS RYDER which shifted out. From a wide barrier, SWEET BEAN was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, HIGH SPEED METRO was momentarily crowded for room between SUCCESSFUL LEADER and SPICY SIAM which got its head on the side and shifted in away from KING BOUNTIFUL which was shifting in. When SPICY SIAM was shifted out to relieve the tightening to HIGH SPEED METRO, GOLD TARTINI, which was racing to the outside of that horse, clipped the heels of SPICY SIAM and blundered badly, resulting in its rider, B Prebble, becoming badly unbalanced. SMART GUY, which was following, was checked away from the heels of GOLD TARTINI in consequence. Whilst this incident was one of some significance, the Stewards were of the opinion that it occurred as a result of a number of circumstances, none of which were related to rider error and accordingly no further action was taken. After this, HIGH SPEED METRO travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUCCESSFUL LEADER passing the winning post on the first occasion. When awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUCCESSFUL LEADER, HIGH SPEED METRO then shifted out and bumped SPICY SIAM which was crowded for room inside KEEN TACTICS which got its head on the side and shifted in away from GLORIOUS VICTORY. Approaching the 1800 Metres, STRIKE EAGLE was steadied away from the heels of SUCCESSFUL LEADER. Approaching the 300 Metres, KEEN TACTICS was momentarily crowded for room between SUCCESSFUL LEADER and HIGH SPEED METRO (Z Purton) which shifted out to obtain clear running. Z Purton was advised to exercise more care. A veterinary inspection of SPICY SIAM, SWEET BEAN and GLAMOROUS RYDER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of STRIKE EAGLE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse's trachea. GLAMOROUS RYDER, COOL PAL and ENJOY THE GAME were sent for sampling.