10/05/2011  Shatin  Race 10

FREE JUDGEMENT began awkwardly and consequently was slow to begin. Approaching the 1400 Metres, KING AL AKBAR shifted out when being checked away from the heels of PAGANINI’S SOUL and in doing so made contact with OSVALDO which became unbalanced. FORTUNE RED PEPPER, which was racing at the hindquarters of OSVALDO, was taken wider as a consequence. In the early stages, FORTUNE RED PEPPER travelled wide and without cover and after the 900 Metres was allowed to stride forward to obtain a position closer to the rail. For some distance after the 1000 Metres, FUN RIDER got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of OSVALDO and near the 900 Metres shifted in and crowded HAPPY PRESTIGE. At the entrance to the Straight, FREE JUDGEMENT was awkwardly placed outside the heels of ST FEVRE. After the 300 Metres, PAGANINI’S SOUL momentarily raced in restricted room inside FORTUNE RED PEPPER which got its head on the side and shifted in. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of HAPPY PRESTIGE, B Prebble stated that it had been intended for the horse to be ridden positively in the early stages and obtain a forward position. He said however that HAPPY PRESTIGE began awkwardly and then shortly after the start was crowded for room between KING AL AKBAR and FUN RIDER. He said because of this HAPPY PRESTIGE raced further back in the field than had been intended. He added that passing the winning post on the first occasion and again near the 900 Metres HAPPY PRESTIGE raced in restricted room inside FUN RIDER and, in his opinion, the horse appeared to resent racing tight at these times during the race. He said that when placed under pressure rounding the Home Turn, HAPPY PRESTIGE initially responded to his riding, however, near the 100 Metres got its head up and over the concluding stages did not stretch out. A veterinary inspection of PAGANINI’S SOUL and HAPPY PRESTIGE after the race did not show any significant findings. KING AL AKBAR, FORTUNE RED PEPPER and MIGHTY SUN were sent for sampling. <11/5/2011 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that ST FEVRE was lame in both front fetlocks on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, ST FEVRE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HAPPY PRESTIGE, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. The Veterinary Officer said that an inspection of HAPPY PRESTIGE this morning revealed that the horse to be mildly lame in the right front leg and that due to the marginal nature of this lameness, an official veterinary examination was not required. However, the Clinical Veterinary Surgeon allocated to Mr D J Hall’s stable has advised that a further diagnostic examination of HAPPY PRESTIGE at Mr Hall’s stable this afternoon found that horse to be lame in its right front fetlock with bone chip fragment diagnosed. Having in mind this further veterinary report, HAPPY PRESTIGE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.