30/03/2014  Shatin  Race 6

MAGICAL BEAM was withdrawn on 29.3.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (tied-up) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter GOLD TALENT (M L Yeung). Before being allowed to race again, MAGICAL BEAM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. OSCAR MIRACLE began awkwardly. From a wide barrier, LORD DRAGON was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Near the 1200 Metres, NEWS SUPREME was taken into a three wide position by OSCAR MIRACLE which shifted away from the fence. NEWS SUPREME then commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed close to the heels of FAY DEEP. NEWS SUPREME was then left racing without cover after the 900 Metres. GOLD TALENT travelled keenly when being steadied in the early stages. Rounding the Home Turn, PENNY LANE and FAY DEEP raced tight as PENNY LANE attempted to shifted out from behind COUNTRY CHARM into clear running. Then after the 400 Metres, FAY DEEP shifted in and brushed PENNY LANE. ALL TIMES LUCKY was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. After initially being directed to the inside of NEWS SUPREME after the 400 Metres, GOLD TALENT was shifted to the outside of that horse when NEWS SUPREME shifted in slightly. GOLD TALENT was then held up for clear running between NEWS SUPREME and KHARU for a short distance in the early part of the Straight when both horses shifted ground. Near the 250 Metres, PENNY LANE and FAY DEEP raced tight and then after the 200 Metres FAY DEEP was inconvenienced when PENNY LANE shifted out under pressure. Over about the final 150 Metres, ROYALE ELEGANCE had difficulty obtaining clear running and because of this was not able to be fully tested in the run to the line. When questioned, O Doleuze stated that GOOD FIT paraded prior to the race in a relaxed manner, however, after arriving at the barriers became somewhat stirred up. He said GOOD FIT stood only fairly in the barriers and as the start was effected bounded in the air and consequently lost ground. He said he had ridden GOOD FIT in each of its trials leading up to today’s race and in those trials the horse had been slow to begin. He said he was able to make up lost ground in the early stages and GOOD FIT was able to be positioned just behind midfield. He added, after being placed under pressure rounding the Home Turn and in the Straight, GOOD FIT finished off the race satisfactorily and he believed that it would benefit greatly by being stepped up in distance and accordingly made this recommendation to the horse’s connections after the race. A veterinary inspection of GOOD FIT immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. GOOD FIT, PENNY LANE and ALL TIMES LUCKY were sent for sampling.