18/06/2017  Shatin  Race 4

BEAUTY FLARE was withdrawn on 17.6.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (right fore tendon injury) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter CAPE THE FAITH (N Callan). Before being allowed to race again, BEAUTY FLARE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MY GIFT was slow to begin. UNIQUE JOYOUS began only fairly and then, despite being ridden along, failed to muster speed. From a wide barrier, RED HORSE was steadied in the early stages, however, throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, UNIQUE JOYOUS and SURE PEACE raced tight. After the 1400 Metres, IMPERIAL CONCORDE raced tight inside ROCK THE TREE. In the early stages, BOLSHOI BALLET (Apprentice M F Poon) travelled wide and without cover and after the 1100 Metres was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead. Near the 900 Metres, BOLSHOI BALLET was steadied after shifting in to race outside FIVE STARS AGENT, resulting in SUPER TALENT (U Rispoli) and SPICY KAKA, which were following, being hampered. Apprentice Poon was warned against the practice of slackening the tempo too abruptly which does not allow other riders the opportunity to adjust to the change in tempo. When questioned, U Rispoli stated that after having to be checked away from the heels of BOLSHOI BALLET, SUPER TALENT shifted out which resulted in SPICY KAKA quickly improving its position inside SUPER TALENT and causing SUPER TALENT to then race wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. He added SUPER TALENT came under heavy pressure shortly after this incident and, despite being ridden along, did not close off the race. A veterinary inspection of SUPER TALENT immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg. The performance of SUPER TALENT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUPER TALENT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Passing the 400 Metres, WINASWEWISH was shifted out away from the heels of ROCK THE TREE. Passing the 200 Metres, FIVE STARS AGENT was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of NAMJONG INVINCIBLE which lay in. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that CAPE THE FAITH had bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of SPICY KAKA and BOLSHOI BALLET immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NAMJONG INVINCIBLE and SURE PEACE were sent for sampling.