29/12/2013  Shatin  Race 4

HAPPILY TIME was slow to begin. FANTASTIC KAKA, which was leaning on the outside of its stall, began awkwardly and then was crowded for room between FASTER MORE and DOMINEER which shifted in at the start. In this incident, FASTER MORE became unbalanced after being bumped by FANTASTIC KAKA. Shortly after the start, ART OF SUCCESS got its head on the side and commenced to lay out and approaching the 1000 Metres shifted out and bumped FIRE STARTER. ART OF SUCCESS then continued to hang out badly and passing the 1000 Metres shifted out abruptly and made heavy contact with the hindquarters of FIRE STARTER, causing that horse to become unbalanced and for ART OF SUCCESS to be severely checked. FASTER MORE, which was following, was checked in consequence and shifted out away from the heels of ART OF SUCCESS, resulting in COMMANDANT being crowded for room inside LUGER. Near the 850 Metres, ART OF SUCCESS again got its head up and hung out badly across the heels of FANTASTIC KAKA, causing ART OF SUCCESS to again be severely checked. FASTER MORE, which was following ART OF SUCCESS, was severely checked to avoid the heels of that horse and LUGER was momentarily taken wider. The performance of ART OF SUCCESS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Having regard to the intractability exhibited by ART OF SUCCESS, the Stewards ruled that the horse must perform satisfactorily in a series of consecutive official barrier trials around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. A veterinary inspection of ART OF SUCCESS immediately following the race revealed the horse to have sustained a small cut to the left fore fetlock. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered if CRIMSON HEART had been afforded a fair start. Evidence was taken from Jockey K Teetan and Starter, Mr T McGovern. After taking evidence from both parties and after viewing the official videos, it was established that prior to the start being effected CRIMSON HEART became fractious and turned its head to the left. CRIMSON HEART continued to have its head turned to the left despite the endeavours of its rider and the starting gate handler to straighten the head of CRIMSON HEART. As the Stewards believed that CRIMSON HEART had its head turned to the left for a period of time in the lead up to the start being effected, they were of the opinion that it had not been afforded a fair start and accordingly CRIMSON HEART was ruled to be a non-runner. A veterinary inspection of FIRE STARTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LUGER and FANTASTIC KAKA were sent for sampling.