04/07/2012  Happy Valley  Race 7

SEA THE PEARLS was withdrawn on 2.7.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inflamed right fore tendon region) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter ROMANTIC CITY (W M Lai). Before being allowed to race again, SEA THE PEARLS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SILVER OSMANTHUS was slow to begin and shortly after the start lost ground when crowded for room between KEEN MARIE which shifted out and FREDERICK ENGELS which was taken in by MENTOR. Shortly after the start, GIFT IS GIFT was steadied away from the heels of BOULD MOVER which shifted in abruptly after being bumped by ROMANTIC CITY. For some distance after the 1100 Metres, FREDERICK ENGELS got its head up on a number of occasions and proved very difficult to settle. After the 800 Metres, GIFT IS GIFT was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 300 Metres, SILVER OSMANTHUS was held up for clear running and shifted out away from the heels of BOULD MOVER which shifted out when giving ground. At the 200 Metres, K C Leung (HAPPY YEAH YEAH) dropped his whip. Having in mind K C Leung’s prior record of having dropped his whip in races, he was fined the sum of $5,000. Over the final 200 Metres, FREDERICK ENGELS was not able to obtain clear running when held up behind GIFT IS GIFT and inside FLYING SMART. Because of this, FREDERICK ENGELS was not tested. A veterinary inspection of LONDON CHINA TOWN after the race did not show any significant findings. GIFT IS GIFT, KEEN MARIE and SILVER OSMANTHUS were sent for sampling. <5/7/2012 Additional Veterinary Report>The Veterinary Officer reported that ROMANTIC CITY was lame in the right front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, ROMANTIC CITY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.