16/05/2015  Shatin  Race 5

NAUGHTY BABY was withdrawn on 15.5.15 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter KYNAM (Apprentice K C Ng). Before being allowed to race again, NAUGHTY BABY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DIVINE DIYA was slow to begin. SUN JEWELLERY began awkwardly. GREAT CHARM began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped GERONIMO MEADOW which stumbled and lost ground. Shortly after the start, FANTASTICO shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of CIRCUIT LAND. From a wide barrier, BRAVE BROTHER was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. LUCKY BUBBLES travelled keenly in the early stages when being steadied to obtain cover. At the 800 Metres, FANTASTICO was crowded for room inside SUN JEWELLERY which shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of LUCKY BUBBLES. Rounding the Home Turn, GREAT CHARM was awkwardly placed close to the heels of KYNAM. Then shortly after entering the Straight, SUN JEWELLERY, which improved quickly to the inside of GREAT CHARM, was momentarily crowded for room inside that horse which shifted in marginally before being shifted out to relieve the tightening to SUN JEWELLERY. For a short distance after this, SUN JEWELLERY was held up for clear running behind STAR OF BOND which was giving ground. SUN JEWELLERY then had some difficulty obtaining clear running until approaching the 200 Metres. At the entrance to the Straight, LUCKY BUBBLES became unbalanced when crowded for room between SPICY SURE and CIRCUIT LAND (M L Yeung) which shifted to the outside of KYNAM into clear running. M L Yeung was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. When questioned regarding the performance of STAR OF BOND, Z Purton stated that he had ridden the horse in two barrier trials leading up to today’s race and those trials, in his opinion, were only fair. He said he had to make some use of STAR OF BOND in the early stages to cross GREAT CHARM to his inside and obtain the lead as instructed. He said throughout the race STAR OF BOND was not able to relax due to KYNAM being positioned directly to his outside. He added in the early part of the Straight STAR OF BOND got its head up when being ridden along after being headed by KYNAM. He said he placed STAR OF BOND under pressure, however, the horse did not respond to his riding and again got its head up and was reluctant to maintain its position when passed by SUN JEWELLERY. He said whilst he was not able to detect any lameness issues with STAR OF BOND, nonetheless the horse did not feel comfortable in its action particularly in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection of STAR OF BOND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of STAR OF BOND was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, STAR OF BOND will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUN JEWELLERY and LUCKY BUBBLES were sent for sampling.