01/10/2011  Shatin  Race 2

DIVIDEND CHAMPION was withdrawn on 30.9.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inappetance) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter REDOUTE’S FORTUNE (K C Leung). CHINA GOOD, first Standby Declared Starter, was also withdrawn on 30.9.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inappetance). Before being allowed to race again, DIVIDEND CHAMPION and CHINA GOOD will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Stewards today interviewed Mr T W Leung regarding the circumstances of the first Standby Declared Start CHINA GOOD being withdrawn at 10:30 am on Friday, 30 September 2011 after being presented and passed fit to race at the Pre-race Veterinary Inspection earlier that morning. Evidence was taken from Mr Leung and Dr P Curl, Veterinary Officer. It was established that after being notified of the withdrawal of DIVIDEND CHAMPION and that CHINA GOOD was afforded a run, Mr Leung advised that CHINA GOOD, in his opinion, was not suitable to race as the horse had not eaten well in the stable following its 5th placing at the Happy Valley racemeeting last Wednesday, 28 September 2011. After a further veterinary inspection of CHINA GOOD, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of that horse acting on veterinary advice that it was inappetant. Subsequently Mr Leung was found guilty of having in breach of Rule 50(5), failing with his responsibilities in compliance with the Trainers’ Handbook in that he failed to report a condition, namely the inappetance of CHINA GOOD, prior to or during the initial Pre-race Veterinary Inspection which occurred at approximately 7:30 am on Friday, 30 September 2011. In all the circumstances, Mr Leung was fined a sum of $15,000. On arrival at the start, it was noted that FERRABOSCO had lost its left hind plate. This plate was refitted. FERRABOSCO was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. PROSPERITY, which was standing awkwardly, was slow to begin. Approaching the 250 Metres, SUPER GENTLEMAN was steadied to avoid the heels of MASTER ELITE which shifted in. KINGSTON SPARTACUS, which was following and which had been held up for clear running, was checked off the heels of SUPER GENTLEMAN. WATCH FIRST, which had an inclination to hang in, could not be tested approaching and passing the 200 Metres when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SOMETHING SPECIAL. WATCH FIRST continued to lay in, obliging its rider, Y T Cheng, to change the whip into his right hand near the 100 Metres. Passing the 50 Metres, WATCH FIRST was steadied away from the heels of SOMETHING SPECIAL which shifted out to obtain clear running. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that similar to the instructions he received at LET’S GOAL’s last start, he was requested to go forward on the horse and either lead or sit off the leader depending on the amount of use he had to make to find this position. He did say that when he rode LET’S GOAL at its last start on 11 September 2011, he had similar instructions, however on that day LET’S GOAL raced back in the field after being slow to begin. He said that he had to make some use of LET’S GOAL to race in a forward position, however, after settling in a position outside the leader, FERRABOSCO, LET’S GOAL travelled reasonably well throughout the middle stages. He added that in the Straight LET’S GOAL did not respond to his riding and was not able to finish off its race due to the amount of work it had to do with its big weight. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that DRAGON VICTORY had bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of LET’S GOAL, SUPER GENTLEMAN and TREASURE GLITTER after the race did not show any significant findings. LET’S GOAL, FERRABOSCO and SOMETHING SPECIAL were sent for sampling. <3/10/2011 Additional Veterinary Report>SUPER GENTLEMAN, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. SUPER GENTLEMAN was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer D Cruz 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, SUPER GENTLEMAN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.