06/01/2019  Shatin  Race 9

On arrival at the barriers, W M Lai expressed concern regarding the action of FANTASTIC FABIO. FANTASTIC FABIO was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse was lame in its right front leg and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, FANTASTIC FABIO was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, FANTASTIC FABIO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PENANG HALL shifted in at the start and bumped FOLLOW ME which in turn shifted in and bumped ENDEARING. From the outside barriers, ROUNDABOUT and SMART LEADER were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. AMAZING was also steadied shortly after the start to obtain cover. After the 900 Metres, ULTIMATE GLORY was left racing wide and without cover. VOYAGE KING lost its right front plate approaching the 750 Metres. Near the 550 Metres, CAMERA FACE became unbalanced of its own accord and lost ground and in doing so shifted out and bumped ULTIMATE GLORY. When CAMERA FACE became unbalanced, FOLLOW ME, which was following, was shifted out abruptly away from the heels of that horse and in doing so bumped VOYAGE KING, taking that horse wider. CAMERA FACE then commenced to give ground, resulting in PENANG HALL being checked out away from the heels of that horse near the 450 Metres. CAMERA FACE continued to give ground and finished at the tail of the field. A veterinary inspection of CAMERA FACE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. The performance and racing manners of CAMERA FACE were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CAMERA FACE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Rounding the Home Turn, ROUNDABOUT raced tight outside SMART LEADER which shifted to the outside of STAR MAJESTIC to improve. At the entrance to the Straight, SUMSTREETSUMWHERE was shifted in away from the heels of ENDEARING. AMAZING was held up for a run passing the 200 Metres and near the 150 Metres was shifted to the outside of SUMSTREETSUMWHERE to obtain clear running. Passing the 100 Metres, SUMSTREETSUMWHERE was inconvenienced when momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of CORDYCEPS. Near the 75 Metres, AMAZING shifted out and brushed ULTIMATE GLORY. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of ENDEARING, D Whyte stated that after obtaining a trailing position behind SUN TOUCH in the early stages, ENDEARING commenced to lay out making the first turn near the 900 Metres. He said he also had to commence to ride ENDEARING along at this time as the horse was reluctant to maintain its position inside CAMERA FACE. He said ENDEARING continued to lay out rounding the Home Turn and then in the Straight hung out after coming under heavy pressure. He added ENDEARING gave ground in the Straight and the manner in which it raced today indicated to him that the horse may have some internal issues. A veterinary inspection of ENDEARING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, ENDEARING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of VOYAGE KING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, it was reported that STAR MAJESTIC had sustained a minor laceration to the left front coronet. FOLLOW ME and CORDYCEPS were sent for sampling.