27/09/2014  Shatin  Race 3

Just prior to the start being effected, ONE OF A KIND became fractious and as the gates opened lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. TOP ACT began awkwardly. HAPPY CENTENARY and GRAND HARBOUR bumped on jumping. Shortly after the start, LET’S GOAL was steadied away from the heels of PEPPERMINT which was bumped and taken in by HAPPY CENTENARY (A Suborics) which shifted in when being ridden along. A Suborics was severely reprimanded and advised in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mounts at the earliest opportunity. At the 500 Metres, FIONN’S PRIDE was bumped by GRAND HARBOUR which shifted out into clear running. At the 400 Metres, LIBERAL OF MIND became unbalanced when bumped by PEPPERMINT (C Y Ho) which shifted to the outside of FIONN’S PRIDE into clear running. C Y Ho was advised to exercise more care than he did on this occasion when shifting ground. Rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, TOP ACT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FULL OF FUN. Passing the 400 Metres, TOP ACT attempted to improve between SUPER TORNADO which was commencing to give ground and FULL OF FUN where there was insufficient room. In this incident, SUPER TORNADO was bumped by TOP ACT. TOP ACT was then badly held up for some distance when disappointed for running inside FULL OF FUN which raced tight inside GRAND HARBOUR. TOP ACT continued to be held up for clear running until approaching the 100 Metres at which time the horse was checked out across the heels of FULL OF FUN. TOP ACT was then unable to obtain clear running for the remainder of the race when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GRAND HARBOUR. Because of this, TOP ACT was not able to be properly tested at any stage in the Straight. At the 200 Metres, K Teetan (GRAND HARBOUR) dropped his whip. Throughout the race, FIONN’S PRIDE travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of FIONN’S PRIDE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of FIONN’S PRIDE, which was successful at its most recent start last season, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FIONN’S PRIDE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The performance of SUPER TORNADO, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUPER TORNADO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HAPPY CENTENARY and GRAND HARBOUR were sent for sampling.