10/02/2018  Shatin  Race 1

TRAVEL DATUK was withdrawn on 9.2.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter MAGIC AGILITY (Apprentice H T Mo). Before being allowed to race again, TRAVEL DATUK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, THOU SHALL SING had its right front plate refitted. THOU SHALL SING was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. LUCKY BABY and THOU SHALL SING began only fairly. VERY SWEET ORANGE was crowded for room on jumping between REFINED TREASURE which began awkwardly and shifted in and GOKO which shifted out abruptly. CHAPARRAL STAR was slow to begin. After the 500 Metres, GOLDEN DASH got its head on the side and lay in. After the race, P-C Boudot was dislodged from STELLAR FEELING without incident. When questioned, P-C Boudot (STELLAR FEELING) stated that his mount, which was having its first race start today, was very fractious in the barriers and got its head down just prior to the start being effected. He said as the start was effected STELLAR FEELING kicked out behind and because of this was very slow to begin. He said when STELLAR FEELING did exit the barriers, the horse again got its head up and because of all these factors it lost a considerable amount of ground at the start. He said he rode his mount along at the 500 Metres to try and have the horse improve its position, however, STELLAR FEELING was racing greenly and did not respond to his riding. He said he balanced up the horse after this and then again commenced to ride it along after the 300 Metres. He added whilst STELLAR FEELING made up some ground, the horse continued to race greenly until over the concluding stages at which time it got its head on the side and lay out under pressure. The barrier manners of STELLAR FEELING were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, STELLAR FEELING will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. A veterinary inspection of VERY SWEET ORANGE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GOLDEN DASH, REFINED TREASURE and GOKO were sent for sampling.