17/10/2009  Shatin  Race 7

GREAT HEART was fractious in the barriers and repeatedly kicked the back gates, resulting in it injuring its right hind leg. GREAT HEART was removed from its stall and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of GREAT HEART. Before being allowed to race again, GREAT HEART will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. NEEDLES AND THREAD began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped STRAWBERRY. ROCKET FORCE also began awkwardly and then shortly after the start was crowded for room between SEA PRINCE and PRETTY TOUCH. Passing the 1400 Metres, ROCKET FORCE became unbalanced when reluctant to race inside MAGIC TEMPLE. B Doyle (NEEDLES AND THREAD) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that for some distance approaching the 1200 Metres he failed to provide sufficient racing room for runners to his inside, namely PRETTY TOUCH, VICTORY TREASURE and TOP HONOR, resulting in those horses racing tight for some distance and causing TOP HONOR to be checked near the 1200 Metres. B Doyle was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 5 November 2009 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday 25 October 2009. Throughout the middle stages, PRETTY TOUCH proved difficult to settle. ROCKET FORCE made the turn at the 650 Metres awkwardly and became unbalanced. At the 600 Metres, MAGIC TEMPLE was bumped and taken wide by AMAZING CHOICE which shifted to the outside of GOLDEN TREASURE. SEA PRINCE was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Throughout the race, NEEDLES AND THREAD travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of VICTORY TREASURE after the race did not show any significant findings. However, the Veterinary Officer did report that he was unable to scope the horse due to it being too fractious. A veterinary inspection of TOP HONOR after the race revealed that the horse had sustained a small cut to the inside of the right hind cannon. Also a veterinary inspection of ROCKET FORCE after the race including an endoscopic examination showed the horse to be a “roarer”. The performance of ROCKET FORCE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ROCKET FORCE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SEA PRINCE, NEEDLES AND THREAD and GOLDEN TREASURE were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that NEEDLES AND THREAD had lost its right front plate. <19/10/2009 Additional Veterinary Report > ROCKET FORCE, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time an endoscopic examination of the horse showed it to be a “roarer”. ROCKET FORCE was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer P F Yiu yesterday morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. As previously advised, ROCKET FORCE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.