20/03/2016  Shatin  Race 6

On entering the track, BULLISH SMART stumbled and became unbalanced. On arrival at the Start, BULLISH SMART was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. BRILLIANT DREAM was slow to begin. JOYFUL TRINITY began only fairly. From the outside barrier, UNIVERSAL UNION was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. For some distance approaching the 1000 Metres, BRILLIANT DREAM proved difficult to settle and near the 1000 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of TRAVEL RENYI. After this, BRILLIANT DREAM continued to race keenly. After the 900 Metres, RAPPER DRAGON was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 500 Metres, SPICY SURE got its head up on a number of occasions when being checked away from the heels of GREAT SPIRIT. At the entrance to the Straight, BRILLIANT DREAM shifted out and bumped UNIVERSAL UNION. Near the 400 Metres, BRILLIANT DREAM and UNIVERSAL UNION bumped due to both horses shifting ground. BRILLIANT DREAM then became unbalanced and lay out despite the efforts of its rider, resulting in UNIVERSAL UNION being badly crowded for room inside BULLISH SMART. This caused all three horses to become badly unbalanced. As there was no rider error associated with this incident, no further action was taken. Passing the 400 Metres, JOYFUL TRINITY was shifted to the inside of CAGA FORCE in an attempt to obtain clear running inside that horse. As JOYFUL TRINITY was attempting to shift to the inside of CAGA FORCE, that horse shifted in, resulting in JOYFUL TRINITY being held up for clear running until passing the 300 Metres. JOYFUL TRINITY then had further difficulty obtaining clear running passing the 250 Metres and over the concluding stages raced tight inside TRAVEL RENYI. PRECISION KING got its head on the side and lay out rounding the Home Turn. Near the 100 Metres, CAGA FORCE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPICY SURE. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered if BULLISH SMART had been afforded a fair start. Evidence was taken from Jockey C Y Ho and from Mr T Speechley, Deputy Starter who started this race. After viewing the videos, it was established that after being loaded into the barriers, despite the best endeavours of C Y Ho and the barrier attendant, BULLISH SMART got its head down and to the left with its head remaining in that position until the start of the race was effected. As the Stewards were of the view that BULLISH SMART had not been afforded a fair start, that horse was ruled to be a non-runner. When questioned regarding his riding of TRAVEL RENYI in the early part of the Straight, C Schofield stated that he had been racing inside RAPPER DRAGON for some distance leading up to the Home Straight. He said he did consider, passing the 600 Metres, steadying and shifting out to be racing behind RAPPER DRAGON as he was concerned that he may not be able to obtain clear running in the Straight if he continued to race inside that horse. He said however that due to the circumstances of the race he was not able to shift out and consequently was left positioned inside of that horse and behind HARRIER JET at the entrance to the Straight. He added he was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight due to CAGA FORCE maintaining its position to the inside and in advance of TRAVEL RENYI. He said however that horse shifted in after the 350 Metres which presented a run to the inside of HARRIER JET. He said he did consider improving to the inside of that horse, however, he was aware that HARRIER JET had previously hung in during one of its race starts in Hong Kong. He said he was also mindful that PRECISION KING, which was racing outside the leader, may not have finished off the race and therefore he elected to remain racing behind HARRIER JET and wait for a run to eventuate to the outside of that horse. He further stated he had hoped that RAPPER DRAGON would improve its position quicker than it did, however, it was not until passing the 250 Metres that he was able to shift TRAVEL RENYI out from behind HARRIER JET to obtain clear running between that horse and RAPPER DRAGON. Having particular regard to the previous racing manners of HARRIER JET, the Stewards accepted C Schofield's explanation. A veterinary inspection of UNIVERSAL UNION 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, UNIVERSAL UNION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PRECISION KING and RAPPER DRAGON were sent for sampling. <21/3/2016 Additional Veterinary Report>After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on CAGA FORCE at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, CAGA FORCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.