13/04/2014  Shatin  Race 3

CONFUCIUS ELITE was withdrawn on 12.4.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter MAROON PRINCE. Before being allowed to race again, CONFUCIUS ELITE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the barriers, D Whyte, the rider of FAIR WIND, reported that his mount coughed on a number of occasions when proceeding to the Start. The Veterinary Officer reported that the horse did not cough again behind the starting gates when undergoing its veterinary examination and after the necessary consultations FAIR WIND was found to be suitable to race. As the start was effected, HURRY HURRY UP lifted its front feet off the ground. Near the 700 Metres, SMART PLANET shifted out after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUNSHINE KID which throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. Rounding the Home Turn, HURRY HURRY UP got its head on the side and lay out. Near the 150 Metres, HURRY HURRY UP was steadied away from the heels of WORLD CITY which was taken in by SUNSHINE KID which shifted in marginally. Throughout the race, WORLD CITY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, H W Lai stated that he had been asked to shift PALEPALE across behind runners from the outside barrier in the early stages and obtain a position behind midfield with cover if possible. He said after PALEPALE began well, because of his instructions, he steadied the horse in the early stages to obtain a position towards the rear of the field. Mr K W Lee, representing Trainer D E Ferraris who was not on course today, stated that he had asked Jockey Lai to shift PALEPALE across behind runners as Mr Ferraris believed that due to the make-up of the field that PALEPALE would be left racing very wide were it to be ridden in a forward position. The Stewards will interview Mr Ferraris about this matter upon his return to Hong Kong. A veterinary inspection of STAR OF WAI BO immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm and an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, STAR OF WAI BO will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MAROON PRINCE immediately following the race revealed the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, MAROON PRINCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of HURRY HURRY UP immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MAROON PRINCE, SUNSHINE KID and FAIR WIND were sent for sampling. <14/4/2014 Additional Veterinary Report>STAR OF WAI BO, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm and an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. STAR OF WAI BO was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer Y S Tsui this morning. He said at this time he found the horse to be lame in its right front leg. As previously advised, STAR OF WAI BO will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.