29/12/2018  Shatin  Race 8

CHEERFUL STAR was withdrawn on 28.12.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, CHEERFUL STAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, VIGOR FAME, which made contact with a rail on entering the track, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and found to be suitable to race. GRAND CHANCELLOR shifted out at the start and bumped UNICRON JEWELLERY. HARMONY HERO and HELENE CHARISMA were crowded for room on jumping between CIRCUIT HASSLER and LAST KINGDOM which shifted out. After this, HARMONY HERO and HELENE CHARISMA were shifted across behind runners. Also from the outside barrier, HO HO FEEL was steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Despite being vigorously ridden in the early stages, CLOUD NINE failed to muster speed and near the 1700 Metres was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 400 Metres, TIANCHI MONSTER and HARMONY HERO bumped. VIGOR FAME had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Approaching the 200 Metres, GRAND CHANCELLOR was awkwardly placed outside the heels of UNICRON JEWELLERY which shifted out. Over the concluding stages, VIGOR FAME was held up for clear running and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. In the Straight, HELENE CHARISMA hung in under pressure. When questioned, S de Sousa stated that he was instructed to take up a more forward position on LAST KINGDOM as the horse had not been finishing off its races when ridden back in the field. He said, from barrier 9, he had to ride his mount along to clear runners to his inside passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said he had to continue to allow LAST KINGDOM to stride forward to clear VIGOR FAME. He said after shifting in to race outside PLANET STAR, LAST KINGDOM commenced to travel very keenly and for this reason he allowed the horse to stride into the lead. He said he again attempted, near the 1400 Metres, to steady LAST KINGDOM in the lead, however, the horse continued to over-race and he felt that to fight against the horse would not be in its best interests. A veterinary inspection of ZILONG and CLOUD NINE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TIANCHI MONSTER and GRAND CHANCELLOR were sent for sampling. <31/12/2018 Additional Veterinary Report>CLOUD NINE, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. CLOUD NINE was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer A T Millard yesterday morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, CLOUD NINE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.