28/06/2009  Shatin  Race 8

MALAYAN BRIGHT was withdrawn on 26.6.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (substantial mucopus in trachea on scoping after track work). Before being allowed to race again, MALAYAN BRIGHT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DASHING VICTORY began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped FLYING SUPREME. As a consequence, DASHING VICTORY lost ground. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, FLYING SUPREME was steadied when awkwardly placed between APPRECIATION and DASHING VICTORY. At the 350 Metres, Apprentice K C Leung (FLYING SUPREME) dropped his whip. Apprentice Leung was told the number of occasions on which he has dropped his whip during the season has come under notice and he should take steps to prevent this from occurring where possible. Near the 300 Metres, DASHING VICTORY was steadied away from the heels of HAPPY REUNION which shifted in. In the Straight, HAPPY REUNION hung in and proved difficult to ride. When questioned, B Prebble (CALIFORNIA MOON) said his mount did not begin as well today as it has previously and as a consequence did not travel as prominently as intended. He said near the 1100 Metres CALIFORNIA MOON lost further ground when being steadied away from the heels of ONE WEE ACORN which shifted in when barely clear. He said making the turn after the 800 Metres CALIFORNIA MOON came off the bridle and did not travel well afterwards. He said in the Straight CALIFORNIA MOON did not respond to his riding. CALIFORNIA MOON was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. After the race, CALIFORNIA MOON was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. FLYING SUPREME was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of FLYING SUPREME after the race did not show any significant findings. ROYAL FLUSH and APPRECIATION were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that HAPPY REUNION was making an abnormal breathing noise.