28/01/2018  Shatin  Race 5

LUCKY DOLLAR was withdrawn on 27.1.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inappetence) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter INTREPIC (K C Leung). Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY DOLLAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Just prior to entering the track, BLAZING PARTNERS became fractious and threw itself down, resulting in N Callan being dislodged without incident. BLAZING PARTNERS was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that the horse had blood at its mouth and, after the necessary consultations, found that horse not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, BLAZING PARTNERS was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being permitted to race again, BLAZING PARTNERS, which was also fractious in the Parade Ring, will be required to undergo a satisfactory parade test which necessarily includes being ridden onto the track and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, the right front plate of ENCOURAGING was refitted. ENCOURAGING was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. SUPER LIFELINE (Apprentice H N Wong) was crowded for room on jumping between CIRCUIT KING and STORM SIGNAL which shifted in. After this, SUPER LIFELINE was vigorously ridden along, however, failed to show any early speed. Apprentice H N Wong reported that SUPER LIFELINE did not travel comfortably at any stage of the race and, despite being ridden along, would not make up ground. He said, in his opinion, SUPER LIFELINE did not feel comfortable in its action and because of this he did not test the horse in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection of SUPER LIFELINE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SUPER LIFELINE, which throughout the race travelled at the rear of the field and then finished detached from the field in the Straight, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUPER LIFELINE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After travelling a short distance, FRIENDS OF NANJING was steadied away from the heels of AFFLUENCE START which shifted in after being bumped by CIRCUIT KING. From a wide barrier, INTREPIC was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From the outside barrier, DRAGON PIONEER was steadied in the early stages in order to be shifted across behind runners. When being steadied, DRAGON PIONEER proved very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when travelling keenly. Passing the 400 Metres, RAGING BLITZKRIEG was brushed by CIRCUIT KING which shifted out. For the majority of the race, COMFORT LIFE travelled wide and without cover. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on INTREPIC at the request of Trainer D J Hall. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, INTREPIC will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of RAGING BLITZKRIEG and FRIENDS OF NANJING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RADIANT STEED and AFFLUENCE START were sent for sampling.