01/03/2014  Shatin  Race 10

LUCKY FOREVER began awkwardly and then despite being ridden along in the early stages failed to muster speed. From wide barriers, TRAVEL BRAND, TRAVEL BROTHER and PRESIDENT LINCOLN were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages, LIBERATOR failed to muster speed. When being steadied to allow VANILLA to cross after the 1500 Metres, KABAYAN got its head up and initially proved difficult to settle. DALWARI lost its right front plate near the 600 Metres. TRAVEL BROTHER was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and approaching and passing the 300 Metres raced tight with LIBERATOR and bumped that horse when improving into tight running between LIBERATOR and DALWARI. After the 200 Metres, CRAZY BUDDIES got its head on the side and lay out under pressure. Throughout the race, DALWARI travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Z Purton stated that he did not pull the whip on TRAVEL BRAND in the Straight as the horse, in his opinion, was performing to its best. He said he rode the horse vigorously hands and heels and slapped it down the shoulder with the whip in the left hand. He said he was mindful after the 200 Metres that JOLLY VICTOR may shift out which it did near the 150 Metres, resulting in TRAVEL BRAND being momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of that horse. He added over the concluding stages the running between JOLLY VICTOR and KABAYAN in advance of TRAVEL BRAND closed and because of this he was not able to fully test the horse over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of PRESIDENT LINCOLN immediately following the race revealed the horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, PRESIDENT LINCOLN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of DALWARI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FLAME HERO and BEAUTY FLAME were sent for sampling.