01/10/2016  Shatin  Race 11

ALMABABY jumped out at the start, causing crowding to FLYING TOURBILLON, KEY WITNESS and LINE SEEKER. In this incident, KEY WITNESS lost ground. From wide barriers, GONNA RUN and LAND GRANT were steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After passing the 1000 Metres, MALMSTEEN was steadied away from the heels of EROICO which improved to the inside of the heels of LINE SEEKER. The Stewards inquired into the interference suffered by DISCIPLES TWELVE at the 650 Metres. After taking evidence from K Teetan (DISCIPLES TWELVE), H W Lai (MALMSTEEN) and Z Purton (LINE SEEKER), it was established that whilst Z Purton endeavoured to maintain a three wide position outside the heels of FLYING TOURBILLON, LINE SEEKER lay in marginally at that stage of the race, resulting in MALMSTEEN being crowded onto DISCIPLES TWELVE which was severely checked. TURF SPRINT, which was following, was hampered in consequence and shifted out, resulting in LAND GRANT being taken wider. In all the circumstances, the Stewards took no further action other than to advise Z Purton to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances. Passing the 500 Metres, EROICO was steadied away from the heels of ALMABABY. Upon straightening, ALMABABY shifted out around the heels of GO BABY GO and raced tight against MYTHICAL EMPEROR. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of Z Purton (LINE SEEKER), 4th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse's finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels all the way to the end of the race where circumstances permit. When questioned, C Schofield stated that he was instructed to ride MR BOGART positively and take up a relatively forward position, however, in the run to the first turn he felt that to have continued forward would have resulted in MR BOGART being caught four wide and without cover. He said therefore, at the 900 Metres, he shifted across behind LINE SEEKER, which he considered to be one of the main dangers, where MR BOGART travelled comfortably with cover throughout the middle stages. He said however that when the pace quickened rounding the Home Turn, MR BOGART dropped the bit, was one-paced and did not respond to his riding for some distance. He added however that MR BOGART found the line strongly over the final 200 Metres and, in his opinion, it is looking for a distance longer than that of today's event. A veterinary inspection of ALMABABY immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, ALMABABY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of FLYING TOURBILLON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TURF SPRINT and MR BOGART were sent for sampling.