15/11/2009  Shatin  Race 3

On arrival at the Start, B Prebble reported to the Veterinary Officer that ELITE CHAMPION had been kicked by a lead horse. The Veterinary Officer said that ELITE CHAMPION had sustained a small abrasion to the left hind leg, however, was not lame and after the necessary consultations was passed suitable to race. BUCCANEER stumbled at the start. CANNONISE began awkwardly and then despite being ridden along in the early stages failed to muster speed and consequently travelled wide and without cover throughout. Shortly after the start, SKYVIEW BAR, which was racing wide, was taken across behind runners, then near the 800 Metres was steadied away from the heels of PERFECT STYLE. When questioned, W M Lai (ROYAL PERICLES) stated that he had been instructed to lead on the horse today. He said in the early stages he rode ROYAL PERICLES along, however, the horse did not muster pace as he thought it would. He added he continued to ride ROYAL PERICLES along in the early stages to obtain a forward position, however, when he observed PLAN B being ridden along from a wide barrier to obtain a position close to the lead, he elected to steady ROYAL PERICLES and follow that horse. He said, in his opinion, the pace of the race in the early stages was genuine. A veterinary inspection of CANNONISE after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of ELITE CHAMPION after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, ELITE CHAMPION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUNNY GOLF and VITAL FLYER were sent for sampling.