24/03/2019  Shatin  Race 10

FARSHAD shifted in at the start and bumped HIGH VOLATILITY. FIRST RESPONDER began awkwardly and stumbled and in doing so shifted out and bumped MR WEALTH. A short distance after this, FIRST RESPONDER was eased when crowded for room between FARSHAD and MR WEALTH. From wide barriers, ROUNDABOUT and CONFUCIUS DAY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. R Bayliss (UNICORNBABY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at the 1300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of MR WEALTH, causing that horse to be checked away from the heels of UNICORNBABY and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. R Bayliss was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 31 March 2019 and to expire on Thursday, 4 April 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). Near the 1150 Metres, FIRST RESPONDER commenced to prove very difficult to settle and shifted in when being checked away from the heels of FARSHAD which got its head up when being checked away from the heels of KINGS SHIELD. When FIRST RESPONDER shifted in, that horse bumped COOL TEAM which became unbalanced. Approaching the 1000 Metres, UNICORNBABY was left racing wide and without cover. At the entrance to the Straight, MR WEALTH was eased down by its rider and when being eased down shifted in across the heels of MCMUNIGAL approaching the 400 Metres. MR WEALTH was then retired out of the race. A veterinary inspection of MR WEALTH immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. When MR WEALTH was eased down at the entrance to the Straight, COOL TEAM was shifted out away from the heels of that horse. AMAZING had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and then after being placed under pressure passing the 300 Metres was steadied after the 200 Metres when unable to obtain clear running. AMAZING was then badly held up for clear running until over the concluding stages of the race and consequently was not able to be properly tested. Approaching the 300 Metres, RACING FIGHTER shifted out and bumped BEAUTY SPIRIT. Passing the 250 Metres, COOL TEAM was shifted out away from the heels of FIRST RESPONDER which shifted out under pressure. Then after being steadied and directed to the inside of FIRST RESPONDER near the 200 Metres, COOL TEAM was again awkwardly placed behind that horse which shifted in. Passing the 100 Metres, COOL TEAM was crowded for room between FARSHAD which shifted out slightly and FIRST RESPONDER which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening to COOL TEAM. A veterinary inspection of COOL TEAM immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, COOL TEAM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of FIRST RESPONDER immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. A veterinary inspection of MCMUNIGAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MCMUNIGAL, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MCMUNIGAL will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. RACING FIGHTER, BEAUTY SPIRIT and HIGH VOLATILITY were sent for sampling. <25/3/2019 Additional Veterinary Report>The Veterinary Officer reported that ROUNDABOUT was lame in its left front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, ROUNDABOUT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.