08/01/2017  Shatin  Race 9

STAR OF YAN OI, which was standing awkwardly, was slow to begin. CONVINCIBLE began only fairly. AMAZING RACE made the first turn after the 700 Metres awkwardly. Near the 600 Metres, JOYFUL MOMENTS was bumped and taken wider by STAR OF YAN OI (Z Purton) which shifted out. Then near the 500 Metres, JOYFUL MOMENTS became unbalanced after again being bumped by STAR OF YAN OI which attempted to shift to the outside of ARIZONA BLIZZARD. STAR OF YAN OI and JOYFUL MOMENTS made contact on a number of occasions after this as STAR OF YAN OI raced in very tight room between ARIZONA BLIZZARD and JOYFUL MOMENTS as that horse was ridden to maintain its position. STAR OF YAN OI was then checked passing the 400 Metres when unable to improve between ARIZONA BLIZZARD and JOYFUL MOMENTS. Z Purton was advised that whilst competitive riding is encouraged, he was nonetheless reprimanded and told that he must exercise due care when having to make contact with other runners to improve his position. After the 600 Metres, ELITE SPIRIT got its head on the side and lay out. Shortly after entering the Straight, E-SUPER was awkwardly placed inside the heels of ARIZONA BLIZZARD which shifted in marginally. Passing the 250 Metres, HARBOUR ALERT and CIRCUIT KING raced tight as HARBOUR ALERT improved into tight running between CIRCUIT KING and SKY HERO. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of ARIZONA BLIZZARD, J Moreira stated that it had been intended for the horse to be ridden from off the speed which was consistent with the manner in which it was ridden last start. He said however that unlike its most recent start ARIZONA BLIZZARD began well today and when a number of horses, which were drawn immediately inside ARIZONA BLIZZARD, were being steadied to take up rearward positions, he felt that he would have had to restrain ARIZONA BLIZZARD too strongly for the horse to be ridden back in the field and therefore he attempted to obtain a midfield position with cover. He said after clearing runners to his inside passing the 1000 Metres, ARIZONA BLIZZARD was left racing in a three wide position outside E-SUPER and was required to maintain this position throughout the race. He added whilst ARIZONA BLIZZARD was ridden in a more forward position than intended and raced wide and without cover throughout, nonetheless the horse was disappointing in that it came off the bridle at the 400 Metres and then, despite being ridden out, gave ground. He said due to the manner in which ARIZONA BLIZZARD gave ground approaching and passing the 200 Metres, he felt that something may have been amiss with the horse and therefore he did not ride it out over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of ARIZONA BLIZZARD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. The performance of ARIZONA BLIZZARD, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ARIZONA BLIZZARD will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of STAR OF YAN OI 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, STAR OF YAN OI will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of ELITE SPIRIT immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm and had bled from both nostrils. Before being allowed to race again, ELITE SPIRIT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. STAR OF YAN OI, SKY HERO and HARBOUR ALERT were sent for sampling.