26/04/2009  Shatin  Race 6

ZEZAO began awkwardly and lost ground. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, UNION'S STAR was slow to muster speed. In the early stages, ENERGIZED was taken back. Approaching the turn at the 800 Metres, ZEZAO was tightened for room inside ABLE SPEED which was hanging in. Also approaching the turn at the 800 Metres, KING ENCOSTA was steadied away from the heels of GOLD WINNER which shifted in when barely clear. Shortly afterwards, KING ENCOSTA was bumped by UNION'S STAR which shifted in. Passing the 800 Metres, GOLD WINNER was steadied away from the heels of GALEN WIN which throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. At the 400 Metres, UNION'S STAR became unbalanced and shifted in after being bumped by KING ENCOSTA which was endeavouring to shift to the outside of GOLD WINNER to obtain clear running. When UNION'S STAR shifted in, it bumped KING ENCOSTA which then became unbalanced. For a considerable distance after this, KING ENCOSTA had difficulty obtaining clear running and near the 200 Metres shifted out and bumped UNION'S STAR. After the 200 Metres, ISLAND SUPER, which was closing the race off, was steadied and shifted to the outside of the heels of HOLI RAVIOLI to continue going forward. On the winning post, ISLAND SUPER, which for some distance had been experiencing difficulty obtaining clear running, was steadied away from the heels of GALEN WIN which was carried wider by CRAIG'S DRAGON (W C Marwing) which shifted out. W C Marwing was reprimanded and told in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mount. In the Straight, FLYING IN hung in and proved difficult to ride. J Winks (LUCKY AMICI) explained his mount travelled satisfactorily until the 600 Metres, however, shortly afterwards commenced to give ground. He said the manner in which LUCKY AMICI continued to give ground after straightening caused him concern and then he did not ride his mount out to the end of the race. LUCKY AMICI was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, LUCKY AMICI was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. The performance of LUCKY AMICI, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY AMICI will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ABLE SPEED, CRAIG'S DRAGON and KING ENCOSTA were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported BOOMING CITY was noted to be making an abnormal breathing noise. He said an endoscopic examination confirmed the horse to be a "roarer".