10/04/2010  Shatin  Race 8

FINAL ANSWER was withdrawn on 8.4.10 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (substantial amount of mucopus in trachea on scoping after track work) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter MEDIC FORTUNE. Before being allowed to race again, FINAL ANSWER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Throughout the race, JOLLY GOOD FORTUNE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, C W Wong (WIN WIN FELLOWSHIP) said that after striking the horse with the whip approaching the 200 Metres, it shifted out abruptly. He said after this, WIN WIN FELLOWSHIP continued to hang out for the remainder of the race. He said for this reason he was not able to fully test the horse over the final 200 Metres. When questioned, D Whyte stated that LEADING CITY began awkwardly, requiring him to ride the horse along in the early stages to obtain a forward position. He said passing the 1000 Metres LEADING CITY was three wide in the leading line with HAPPY REUNION and HORSE GALORE racing immediately to his inside. He said after this he elected to steady LEADING CITY and obtain a position with cover behind HORSE GALORE which he was able to do passing the 800 Metres. He said LEADING CITY then travelled well in the middle stages and after shifting to the outside of HORSE GALORE at the entrance to the Straight commenced to travel into the race. He added however that near the 250 Metres he became concerned that LEADING CITY was not finishing off the race as he thought it would and then was somewhat disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. He said when LEADING CITY was racing on the bit, the horse travelled comfortably, however, under pressure did not appear to appreciate today’s track conditions. A veterinary inspection of MULTIPROUD after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. A veterinary inspection of WIN WIN FELLOWSHIP after the race did not show any significant findings. LEADING CITY, HAPPY REUNION and SUPERIOR UNIT were sent for sampling.