16/07/2017  Shatin  Race 9

WINSTON’S LAD was withdrawn on 13.7.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (swollen left front fetlock) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter MIGHTY BOY. Before being allowed to race again, WINSTON’S LAD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When parading prior to the race, the tongue tie applied to DOUBLE VALENTINE became dislodged with this gear being reapplied behind the barriers. Just prior to the start being effected, HEHA BOY became very fractious and lunged at the front gates, resulting in its rider, Apprentice H N Wong, being dislodged and HEHA BOY leaving the barrier stalls riderless. Before being allowed to race again, HEHA BOY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. HIGH AND MIGHTY was very slow to begin. A veterinary inspection of HIGH AND MIGHTY immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. Having regard to HIGH AND MIGHTY’s previous record of having been slow to begin, the horse will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. SUNNY WAY began very awkwardly and shifted in abruptly, resulting in DOUBLE VALENTINE being badly hampered. MIGHTY BOY and FANTASTIC KAKA began only fairly. Passing the 1200 Metres, MIGHTY BOY was momentarily crowded for room inside INTREPIC (Apprentice M F Poon) which shifted in before being directed back out to relieve the tightening to MIGHTY BOY. Apprentice Poon was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Approaching the 1000 Metres, CHUNG WAH SPIRIT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WORLD RECORD and shifted out away from the heels of that horse. SUNNY WAY, which was racing to the outside of CHUNG WAH SPIRIT, was hampered in consequence. Near the 250 Metres, CHUNG WAH SPIRIT commenced to shift in under pressure, resulting in its rider, Z Purton, momentarily having to stop riding and straighten his mount. Passing the 100 Metres, WORLD RECORD was shifted in away from the heels of SUNNY WAY which lay in under pressure. Throughout the race, SUNNY WAY travelled wide and without cover. S Clipperton pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 100(2) in that he failed to ride SUNNY WAY, 6th placegetter, out all the way to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards. S Clipperton was fined $15,000. CHUNG WAH SPIRIT lost its right front plate after the race. When questioned regarding the performance of INTREPIC, Apprentice M F Poon stated that the horse travelled well in the early and middle stages and rounding the Home Turn he anticipated the horse would finish off the race strongly after being shifted to the outside of RIGHT HONOURABLE. He said however that passing the 400 Metres INTREPIC did not quicken as it had when ridden by him in the past. He added after this INTREPIC did not finish off the race as he expected and was disappointing over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of INTREPIC immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of WORLD RECORD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. INTREPIC, CALCULATION and CHUNG WAH SPIRIT were sent for sampling. <17/7/2017 Additional Veterinary Report>WORLD RECORD, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. WORLD RECORD was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer A T Millard this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, WORLD RECORD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.