24/09/2017  Shatin  Race 9

INDIGENOUS UNION began only fairly. From wide barriers, TOP LAURELS and HOME RUN were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages, CLUB LIFE and GRAND HARBOUR failed to muster speed. Approaching the 1000 Metres, DIAMOND KING lost ground when awkwardly placed close to the heels of HOUSEHOLD KING. Near the 950 Metres, CHUNG WAH SPIRIT was momentarily crowded for room inside REGENCY BO BO which shifted in. When being directed back out to relieve the tightening to CHUNG WAH SPIRIT, REGENCY BO BO got its head up when awkwardly placed inside the heels of GO BEAUTY GO. Near the 800 Metres, REGENCY BO BO got its head up when awkwardly placed behind GO BEAUTY GO and in doing so shifted out and bumped HOUSEHOLD KING (J Moreira) which became unbalanced. J Moreira stated that after this although racing wide and without cover he shifted HOUSEHOLD KING out to provide extra room for REGENCY BO BO as that horse was not racing tractably. He said following HOUSEHOLD KING becoming unbalanced at the 800 Metres, the horse again became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by REGENCY BO BO near the 600 Metres when that horse continued to lay out. He said when HOUSEHOLD KING became unbalanced on the second occasion near the 600 Metres, it immediately came off the bridle and he was obliged to ride it along in an endeavour to maintain its position. He said, despite being ridden hard, HOUSEHOLD KING commenced to give ground and at the entrance to the Straight again became unbalanced when brushed by DIAMOND KING which shifted out. He added, given the manner in which HOUSEHOLD KING was unbalanced and the fact that it was giving ground abruptly, he felt that there may have been something amiss with the horse and for this reason he elected to ease it down over the final 300 Metres. He said whilst he was not able to detect any lameness issues with HOUSEHOLD KING immediately after the race, he felt in the early part of the Straight that the horse did not feel right behind. A veterinary inspection of HOUSEHOLD KING immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a small wound to the right hind leg. The performance of HOUSEHOLD KING, a favourite for today’s race and a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HOUSEHOLD KING 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 800 Metres, TOP LAURELS commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of DIAMOND KING. In this incident, TOP LAURELS shifted out, resulting in CLUB LIFE losing ground when crowded inside BANK ON RED. Near the 350 Metres, CLUB LIFE was shifted out away from the heels of HOUSEHOLD KING as that horse was being eased down. Near the 200 Metres, HOME RUN raced in restricted room between REGENCY BO BO and GO BEAUTY GO which shifted out. HOUSEHOLD KING, DIAMOND KING and CHUNG WAH SPIRIT were sent for sampling.