01/01/2023  Shatin  Race 2

BRAVE POWER was withdrawn on 31.12.22 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter THIS IS GUTS (H Bentley). Before being allowed to race again, BRAVE POWER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. THIS IS GUTS began very awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the inside of its gate, resulting in the horse losing ground. LE PLUS VITE began only fairly. ERNEST FEELING shifted out on jumping and bumped the hindquarters of TSUEN WAN GLORY which became unbalanced. ERNEST FEELING was then crowded for room outside SHANGHAI POWER which shifted out. From wide barriers, LEISURE AND GOLD and COMMON ROOM were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Passing the 1100 Metres, LE PLUS VITE was steadied when momentarily racing in restricted room between HO HO JUNIOR which shifted out and ERNEST FEELING which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the crowding. Approaching the 1100 Metres, HO HO JUNIOR (C Y Ho) shifted in marginally, resulting in LE PLUS VITE (S De Sousa) briefly racing in restricted room inside that horse. LE PLUS VITE then became badly unbalanced and lost ground when reluctant to maintain its position inside HO HO JUNIOR. Whilst the Stewards considered the racing manners of LE PLUS VITE to be the primary reason for this incident, nonetheless C Y Ho was told to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for his fellow riders. S De Sousa said that after this he balanced LE PLUS VITE up to ascertain whether the horse had gone amiss given the manner in which LE PLUS VITE had become unbalanced in its action. He said he was able to recommence riding LE PLUS VITE along and after being crowded for room near the 850 Metres the horse would not stretch out. He added LE PLUS VITE came under heavy pressure to hold its position after the 600 Metres and then despite being ridden along failed to improve its position and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of LE PLUS VITE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, LE PLUS VITE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the 1000 Metres, FORTUNE MARBO got its head on the side, lay in and brushed the running rail of its own accord. Also after the 1000 Metres, SPICY SKEWER got its head up when awkwardly placed behind APEX TOP which was being steadied to obtain cover behind SMART FOLKS. Making the turn approaching the 900 Metres, TSUEN WAN GLORY got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TEAM GOODLUCK. TSUEN WAN GLORY then shifted out marginally making the turn at the 900 Metres. ERNEST FEELING, which was following TSUEN WAN GLORY, improved to be racing tight inside the heels of that horse which resulted in ERNEST FEELING and LE PLUS VITE being crowded for room near the 850 Metres. LEISURE AND GOLD, COMMON ROOM and THIS IS GUTS, which were following ERNEST FEELING and LE PLUS VITE, were hampered in consequence. Approaching the 200 Metres, HO HO JUNIOR was checked away from the heels of SHANGHAI POWER (C Wong) which shifted out when giving ground. C Wong was advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. When HO HO JUNIOR shifted out from behind SHANGHAI POWER, TSUEN WAN GLORY momentarily raced in restricted room between that horse and SPICY SKEWER. TSUEN WAN GLORY was then shifted across the heels of SPICY SKEWER passing the 200 Metres to obtain clear running. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on COMMON ROOM at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, COMMON ROOM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of THIS IS GUTS immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in its trachea and also found that horse to be a "roarer” and to have sustained a small abrasion to its right front heel bulb. DIVINE ERA and SMART FOLKS were sent for sampling.