28/03/2010  Shatin  Race 5

TOM’S EIGHTH was withdrawn on 26.3.10 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (left eye corneal ulcer) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter BLADE FORCE. Before being allowed to race again, TOM’S EIGHTH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. As the start was effected, AMBITIOUS DRAGON lifted its front feet off the ground and began awkwardly. ORIENTAL COURSER (W C Marwing) began awkwardly. W C Marwing reported that in this incident his saddle shifted back, placing him at a disadvantage. CLOSERTOBELIEVING was slow to begin. Near the 1300 Metres, HEALTHY MANNER was checked when crowded for room between MY WAY which was taken out slightly by LUCKY PHOTO FRAME and AMBITIOUS DRAGON (C K Tong) which got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. C K Tong was advised that whilst the Stewards considered that he had made sufficient effort on this occasion, he should at all times ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. Passing the 1100 Metres, SUPER GENERAL was severely checked when crowded for room inside SWEET BABY which itself shifted in away from the heels of MY WAY which shifted in after being bumped by AMBITIOUS DRAGON which, when racing ungenerously, got its head on the side and shifted in and then a short distance later got its head up and shifted in further when being steadied away from the heels of SPICY SHRIMP. As the Stewards formed the view that this incident was principally as a result of the racing manners of AMBITIOUS DRAGON, no further action was taken other than to deem the racing manners of the horse unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, AMBITIOUS DRAGON will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial around a bend. BINGO KEY, which was following AMBITIOUS DRAGON, was checked in consequence and HEALTHY MANNER, which was following BINGO KEY, was also checked. After this, HEALTHY MANNER raced wide and without cover. At the 600 Metres, SUPER GENERAL was momentarily crowded for room between BLADE FORCE and BINGO KEY. Passing the 400 Metres, AMBITIOUS DRAGON hung in and was steadied away from the heels of SPICY SHRIMP which also shifted out slightly. After this, AMBITIOUS DRAGON continued to hang in and approaching the 100 Metres was steadied away from the heels of SAMMY’S FALCON. Near the 300 Metres, SPICY SHRIMP was steadied away from the heels of SAMMY’S FALCON (Apprentice T H So) which shifted out when not clear. Apprentice So was severely reprimanded and advised in similar circumstances to make every endeavour to keep his mounts on a straight course. Passing the 200 Metres, ORIENTAL COURSER was steadied away from the heels of MY WAY which shifted in. CLOSERTOBELIEVING, which was following, was steadied and shifted in in consequence. Then near the 50 Metres, CLOSERTOBELIEVING was checked away from the heels of AMBITIOUS DRAGON which shifted in to continue improving. When questioned, J Lloyd stated that he had been instructed to ride AMAZING VENTURE in a position midfield or slightly worse. He said AMAZING VENTURE shifted out abruptly at the start, resulting in him becoming badly unbalanced in the saddle and nearly being dislodged. He said due to the manner in which AMAZING VENTURE began, the horse lost a considerable amount of ground at the start and became detached from the field. He said in the early stages he allowed AMAZING VENTURE to become balanced, he then niggled at the horse to make up lost ground and by the time the field reached the Home Turn, it had tacked onto the main body of the field. He said at the entrance to the Straight he shifted AMAZING VENTURE to the outside to make his run, however, the amount of ground that AMAZING VENTURE had lost at the start meant that it was left with too much to do. He said he fully tested AMAZING VENTURE in the Straight and the horse finished off the race well under the circumstances. A veterinary inspection of BLADE FORCE after the race did not show any significant findings other than the horse had lost its right front plate. A veterinary inspection of AMBITIOUS DRAGON after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. AMBITIOUS DRAGON, NEW LEADER and SUPER GENERAL were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SPICY SHRIMP had lost its right hind plate. <29/3/2010 Additional Veterinary Report> BLADE FORCE, which performed poorly, was examined by the Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison. He said at that time there were no significant findings other than the horse had lost its right front plate. BLADE FORCE was again examined by the Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison at the stables of Trainer A S Cruz this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be coughing and inappetant. Before being allowed to race again, BLADE FORCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.