05/02/2011  Shatin  Race 9

On arrival at the barriers, Jockey D Beadman reported that SOVEREIGN FALCON had coughed on the way to the Start. An inspection of SOVEREIGN FALCON by the Veterinary Officer revealed no nasal discharge and the horse was not coughing whilst being observed behind the barriers. SOVEREIGN FALCON was therefore passed suitable to race. After arriving at the barriers, ASSURE had its left front plate refitted. SOVEREIGN FALCON was difficult to load. Before being allowed to race again, SOVEREIGN FALCON will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. After being loaded, both LUCKY MAGIC and DEPOSER became fractious and reared on a number of occasions. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY MAGIC and DEPOSER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. ELITE FORTUNE and WHITE HART KING were slow to begin. From wide barriers, MAELSTROM and PROSPEROUS were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After the 700 Metres, SOVEREIGN FALCON was left racing wide and without cover. Rounding the Home turn, KENOBE was steadied away from the heels of FLORAL PICASSO which shifted in slightly. Near the 350 Metres, VITAL SMART, which was commencing to give ground, shifted in slightly, resulting in LUCKY MAGIC being inconvenienced. Approaching the 200 Metres, VITAL SMART was momentarily steadied away from the heels of EURO POWER which shifted in. A short distance later, DEPOSER and LOYAL ARMY, which were both giving ground, were momentarily crowded for room inside EURO POWER (Apprentice K C Leung) which shifted in to obtain clear running. Apprentice Leung was advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear of other runners when shifting ground in future. A veterinary inspection of SOVEREIGN FALCON after the race did not show any significant findings other than the horse had lost its left hind plate. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY MAGIC after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. SOVEREIGN FALCON, EURO POWER and PRAISING were sent for sampling.