21/04/2014  Shatin  Race 2

GRASSLAND DRAGON, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 18.4.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lacerations to left hind leg). Before being allowed to race again, GRASSLAND DRAGON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When being saddled, LONGWAH AMBER became fractious and momentarily got down. LONGWAH AMBER was examined by the Veterinary Officer in the vicinity who found the horse to be suitable to race. LONGWAH AMBER was again examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the barriers and cleared to start. RIBOT LEGACY, which made contact with the rail on the way to the Start, was examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the barriers and passed fit to race. RIBOT LEGACY, which was leaning on the inside of the stall, began awkwardly and shortly after the start bumped HAPPY CHAMPION. FOREVER FUN shifted out at the start and bumped TRENDIFUL. CALIFORNIA ROCK began awkwardly. CHINA POWER and HONG KONG DANCER made contact on a number of occasions shortly after the start, causing both horses to become unbalanced. Also shortly after the start, LONGWAH AMBER was steadied when crowded for room between STARTLING POWER and FOREVER FUN, both of which shifted ground. XI YING MEN lost its left front plate near the 900 Metres. Near the 600 Metres, CHINA POWER was awkwardly placed outside HAPPEN FOR REASON which shifted out slightly. RIBOT LEGACY, which was racing to the inside of CHINA POWER, was inconvenienced in consequence when racing tight outside HAPPY CHAMPION. Near the 400 Metres, Apprentice C Y Lui (XI YING MEN) had some difficulty changing the whip into his right hand. LONGWAH AMBER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FOREVER FUN approaching the 400 Metres. After the 300 Metres, TELECOM TOP STAR got its head on the side and hung in. Near the 250 Metres, LONGWAH AMBER was checked when disappointed for running between STARTLING POWER and GENEROUS BOBO (Z Purton) which shifted out. As the Stewards were not of the opinion that LONGWAH AMBER had properly established running between STARTLING POWER and GENEROUS BOBO, they took no further action other than to advise Z Purton to ensure that he makes every endeavour to keep his mounts on a straight course in similar circumstances. After the 100 Metres, LONGWAH AMBER, which was held up for clear running, was shifted out away from the heels of GENEROUS BOBO. Near the 50 Metres, RIBOT LEGACY was inconvenienced when racing tight inside CHINA POWER which shifted in under pressure. Close to the finishing line, GENEROUS BOBO raced tight outside HONG KONG DANCER which shifted out. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of TRENDIFUL, J Moreira stated that he had ridden the horse in its track work since its first up run and, in his opinion, this work had been good and accordingly he expected TRENDIFUL would race well. He said TRENDIFUL was always off the bridle today and he had to continually niggle the horse along to maintain touch with the leaders. He said whilst the race was run at a good tempo, he did not want TRENDIFUL getting too far out of its ground and for this reason he continued to urge his mount to maintain a forward position. He added however that after the 600 Metres TRENDIFUL came under heavy pressure and, despite being ridden along, weakened over the concluding stages and, in his opinion, raced disappointingly. A veterinary inspection of TRENDIFUL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that HAPPEN FOR REASON had bled from both nostrils and an endoscopic examination confirmed the horse to be a “roarer”. Also after the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on CHINA POWER at the request of Trainer A T Millard. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, CHINA POWER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. LONGWAH AMBER, HONG KONG DANCER and CHINA POWER were sent for sampling.