28/02/2018  Shatin  Race 5

JOYFUL PARK was withdrawn on 27.2.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore left front tendon) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter DRAGON WARRIOR (M L Yeung). Before being allowed to race again, JOYFUL PARK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. AMAZING FEELING and EXPERTO CREDE bumped at the start. DRAGON WARRIOR was crowded for room at the start between SKY TREASURE and GREAT SON which shifted out. From wide barriers, IMPERIAL CONCORDE and KIROV were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. After travelling a short distance, K C Leung, the rider of DASHING DART, adjusted his left foot in the stirrup iron. Despite being hard ridden in the early stages, BEAUTY CONNECTION was slow to muster speed and making the first turn after passing the winning post on the first occasion was left racing very wide and passing the 1400 Metres was steadied and shifted in to obtain cover. SKY TREASURE was also ridden along for some distance in the early stages and passing the winning post on the first occasion was steadied in an attempt to obtain cover. Approaching the 1100 Metres, GREAT SON shifted in and bumped GRAND HARBOUR. Passing the 650 Metres, GREAT SON got its head on the side and lay out, resulting in ELUSIVE STATE and BEAUTY CONNECTION being hampered and taken wider. DASHING DART, which was following, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BEAUTY CONNECTION. Passing the 600 Metres, SKY TREASURE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DASHING DART. On entering the Straight, AMAZING FEELING bumped GOLDEN SLEEP when improving into tight running between that horse and NICE KICK. Due to the contact, GOLDEN SLEEP became unbalanced and shifted in, resulting in AMAZING FEELING being tightened for room between GOLDEN SLEEP and NICE KICK. Shortly after entering the Straight, ELUSIVE STATE and EXPERTO CREDE raced tight. The performances of GREAT SON and SKY TREASURE, both of which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GREAT SON and SKY TREASURE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, A Sanna expressed concern regarding the action of GOLDEN EFFORT. A veterinary inspection of GOLDEN EFFORT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of GOLDEN EFFORT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GOLDEN EFFORT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, J Moreira (NICE KICK) stated that despite an opportunity being available to shift in behind SKY TREASURE passing the 1400 Metres, he was unable to shift in at this time due to NICE KICK hanging out. He said NICE KICK continued to hang out badly and he slapped the horse down the shoulder with the whip passing the 1200 Metres whilst applying heavy pressure to the right rein in an attempt to shift in as he was racing very wide. He said NICE KICK would not respond to his efforts to shift in and obtain cover and when racing outside SKY TREASURE after entering the Back Straight then commenced to travel keenly. He said rather than fight with NICE KICK, he allowed the horse to improve its position gradually along the Back Straight to race outside the leader GRAND HARBOUR after the 700 Metres. He added at this time NICE KICK was able to improve its position of its own accord and he did not have to ride his mount along to improve its position. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY CONNECTION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EXPERTO CREDE, AMAZING FEELING and GOLDEN SLEEP were sent for sampling. <1/3/2018 Additional Veterinary Report>BEAUTY CONNECTION, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. BEAUTY CONNECTION was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer K W Lui this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, BEAUTY CONNECTION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.