09/12/2009  Happy Valley  Race 5

CHATER DE LAGO was withdrawn on 7.12.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (coughing and mucus on scoping after track work) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter ROYAL PORTRAIT. Before being allowed to race again, CHATER DE LAGO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ZEPHYRUS became fractious after being placed in the barriers, resulting in C Sutherland being dislodged. ZEPHYRUS was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said, in his opinion, it was suitable to race. C Sutherland was not injured when dislodged. For some distance approaching the winning post on the first occasion, ROYAL PORTRAIT (Y Iwata) shifted in, resulting in EVER KING being initially crowded for room and then having to be steadied. Y Iwata was advised to exercise care. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, ROCKET AND GOLD, which was proving difficult to settle, was steadied away from the heels of FORTUNE WARRIOR which shifted in when barely clear. At the 600 Metres, ZEPHYRUS was steadied away from the heels of SAMBUOYANT which was taken out by GRAND GENERAL which itself was taken out by OLYMPICSHIP (H Bowman) which shifted out around DR WELL to improve. H Bowman was advised to exercise care. Throughout the race, ZEPHYRUS travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of FORTUNE WARRIOR after the race did not show any significant findings. MASTER DREAMER and JOLLY WONGCHOY were sent for sampling. <10/12/2009 Additional Veterinary Report> The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that ROYAL PORTRAIT had sustained multiple abrasion wounds to its legs, body and right eye due to an incident inside the horse float on return to the Sha Tin Racecourse after last night’s race meeting. Before being allowed to race again, ROYAL PORTRAIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.