17/09/2014  Shatin  Race 4

On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie applied to GLORIOUS AVENUE was adjusted. STREET CAT was slow to begin and on jumping got its head up, resulting in Apprentice C Y Lui becoming unbalanced. Shortly after the start, GLORIOUS AVENUE momentarily raced in restricted room between CITY POWER and LUCKY SCEPTER which shifted in. From wide barriers, BLACK STAR, SOUTHERN SPRINGS and BERNARD’S CHOICE were all taken across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1100 Metres, LUCKY SCEPTER was crowded for room between CITY POWER and FLYING RED which shifted in marginally. Making the first turn after the 900 Metres, GLORIOUS AVENUE got its head up and shifted out when reluctant to maintain its position inside SOUL ACHIEVER. GLORIOUS AVENUE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GLACIER BLUE passing the 400 Metres and then was shifted out across the heels of SOUL ACHIEVER passing the 350 Metres. GLORIOUS AVENUE then got its head on the side and lay out under pressure for the remainder of the race. Over the final 200 Metres, SOUL ACHIEVER lay in under pressure. For the majority of the race, FLYING RED (K Teetan) travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. After the race, K Teetan reported that his mount made an abnormal breathing noise during the event. A veterinary inspection of FLYING RED immediately following the race revealed the horse to be a “roarer”. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LUCKY SCEPTER, Z Purton stated that it had been intended for LUCKY SCEPTER to be ridden more forward than was the case, however, the horse did not show early speed. He said irrespective of this, LUCKY SCEPTER travelled well in the early and middle stages before coming under pressure after the 600 Metres. He said despite racing in restricted room between GLACIER BLUE and FLYING RED near the 300 Metres, this did not impact significantly on the horse’s performance as LUCKY SCEPTER was very disappointing in its failure to run on after this. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY SCEPTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GLACIER BLUE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY SCEPTER, SOUL ACHIEVER and LONGWAH AMBER were sent for sampling.