08/09/2012  Shatin  Race 9

Near the 900 Metres, EURO SWIFTLY proved difficult to settle when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SCARLET CAMELLIA. A short distance later, EURO SWIFTLY shifted in when being steadied away from the heels of SCARLET CAMELLIA and in doing so crowded FLEET COMMAND which itself was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WINNING EDGE. BRIGHT STAR, which was following, was hampered in consequence. Near the 350 Metres, CARTHAGE was held up for clear running when momentarily crowded for room between EURO SWIFTLY and FLEET COMMAND which was taken out by WINNING EDGE. For the majority of the race, SUNRISE travelled wide and without cover. B Prebble (MAJESTIC FALCON) was fined $3,000 for improper use of the whip in that he raised weal marks over the horse’s right flank. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MAJESTIC FALCON, B Prebble stated that he had been asked not to ride his mount along in the early stages as it can prove difficult to settle in its races. He said that after being slow to begin, he was able to position MAJESTIC FALCON behind FLEET COMMAND in the early stages. He said MAJESTIC FALCON came on the bridle for a short distance after the 900 Metres, but in his opinion it did not travel comfortably in the early and middle stages. He said that he was able to shift MAJESTIC FLACON out rounding the Home Turn and shortly after entering the Straight obtained clear running. He said he immediately commenced to ride MAJESTIC FALCON along, however, the horse did not show any turn of foot. He added that MAJESTIC FALCON lay in under pressure in the Straight as it had done in its previous races, but nonetheless it was very disappointing in the manner in which it failed to respond to his riding. He said although the horse’s action appeared to change over the concluding stages, he was not able to detect any lameness issues with MAJESTIC FALCON after the race. A veterinary inspection of REAL SUPREME and MAJESTIC FALCON after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that JUST FANTASTIC was lame in the right front leg and that SUNRISE had lost its right hind plate. Before being allowed to race again, JUST FANTASTIC will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MAJESTIC FALCON, SCARLET CAMELLIA and JUST FANTASTIC were sent for sampling.