01/10/2011  Shatin  Race 9

LUCKY WARRIOR was withdrawn on 30.9.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (respiratory tract infection). Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY WARRIOR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. As the tongue tie, which was part of the approved gear to be worn by ALWAYS SOMETHING, was unable to be applied to that horse both in the saddling stalls and behind the barriers, the Stewards approved that ALWAYS SOMETHING raced without that gear. This matter was brought to the attention of Trainer A S Cruz who said that consideration would now be given to removing the tongue tie from the gear of ALWAYS SOMETHING. DILIGENT III began awkwardly, bumped the hindquarters of NEW VISION and lost ground. From the outside barrier, ALWAYS SOMETHING was taken across behind runners soon after the start. OUR DYNASTY jumped in at the start and bumped EIGHT PLUS NINE which became unbalanced. From the entrance to the Straight until passing the 200 Metres, ALWAYS WELL was badly held up for clear running behind HINYUEN PALADIN which was giving ground. ALWAYS SOMETHING was unable to obtain clear running until approaching the 300 Metres. Near the 250 Metres, MASTER KEY, which was giving ground, was checked when momentarily tightened for room between HINYUEN PALADIN and HAPPY DRUMMING which got its head on the side and hung in slightly despite the efforts of its rider. When MASTER KEY was checked, it shifted in, resulting in ALWAYS WELL also being checked. DILIGENT III, which was following, was hampered. Also near the 250 Metres, NOVEL WINNING was disappointed for a run between LONGWAH RISING and PLENTIFUL which shifted in under pressure. NEW VISION was held up for clear running until near the 200 Metres. When questioned, H W Lai stated that although LONGWAH RISING began well, he was under strict instructions to find cover as the horse went forward and sat outside the leader at its most recent start and failed to finish off the race. He said therefore today he steadied his mount and eventually found a position three wide and with cover on the back of HAPPY DRUMMING. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that EIGHT PLUS NINE had lost its left front plate. A veterinary inspection of MASTER KEY after the race, which compounded in the Straight, revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm and an endoscopic examination also showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being permitted to race again, MASTER KEY will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of HINYUEN PALADIN after the race did not show any significant findings. MASTER KEY, NEW VISION and PLENTIFUL were sent for sampling. The Stewards will interview J Lloyd regarding his riding of DR WIN in the early stages prior to the first race at the Happy Valley racemeeting on Thursday, 6 October 2011.