21/09/2014  Shatin  Race 4

As the start was effected, ORIENTAL FANTASIA lifted its front feet off the ground, resulting in the horse beginning only fairly. ORIENTAL FANTASIA was then ridden along in the early stages to take up a forward position. SWEET BEAN was crowded for room at the start between ORIENTAL FANTASIA and WINNING ADVANTAGE which shifted in. FLORAL MAN began awkwardly. CASA JUNIOR shifted out at the start and bumped LA COTE DE BLEU. From the outside barrier, HELEN’S CHOICE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1300 Metres, WINNING ADVANTAGE and ELECTRONIC GOSPEL bumped, causing both horses to become unbalanced. For some distance approaching and passing the 1000 Metres, LA COTE DE BLEU proved very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions. Passing the 1000 Metres, ELECTRONIC GOSPEL, which was travelling keenly, shifted out away from the heels of WINNING ADVANTAGE, resulting in PERFECT TRIUMPH being hampered and taken wider. After the 1000 Metres, WINNING ADVANTAGE was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 750 Metres, KING ON EARTH was shifted away from the heels of LA COTE DE BLEU which continued to prove difficult to settle, resulting in ELECTRONIC GOSPEL being taken wider. KING ON EARTH lost its right front plate at the 700 Metres. For some distance after the 700 Metres, LA COTE DE BLEU continued to race ungenerously when awkwardly placed close to the heels of CASA JUNIOR. At the 400 Metres, PERFECT TRIUMPH was shifted out away from the heels of HELEN’S CHOICE which shifted out to obtain clear running. Approaching the 300 Metres, FLORAL MAN was held up for clear running between ORIENTAL FANTASIA and ARCHER’S BOW which shifted in marginally. Approaching the 200 Metres, ELECTRONIC GOSPEL was shifted out away from the heels of WINNING ADVANTAGE. For some distance after the 150 Metres, KING ON EARTH had difficulty obtaining clear running when held up behind runners. A veterinary inspection of ARCHER’S BOW and ORIENTAL FANTASIA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on WINNING ADVANTAGE 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, WINNING ADVANTAGE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ORIENTAL FANTASIA, BEST JADE TRIUMPH and LA COTE DE BLEU were sent for sampling.