23/05/2010  Shatin  Race 5

Whilst in the saddling stalls, it was noted that TRAVEL KING had lost its right front plate. This plate was refitted. TRAVEL KING was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. TRAVEL KING began awkwardly, threw its head in the air and was slow to begin. LUCKY PHOTO FRAME began awkwardly and then shortly after the start blundered badly. This resulted in LUCKY PHOTO FRAME losing ground and racing back in the field. Passing the 1300 Metres, both FASCINATING SMILE and MY WAY were steadied away from the heels of CHEEKY LAD (B Doyle) which shifted in when not properly clear. B Doyle was reprimanded and advised to ensure he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. Near the 1200 Metres, MY WAY was crowded for room inside AMAZING VENTURE which itself was steadied when awkwardly placed inside BATURO (Apprentice K W Leung) which shifted in before being straightened. Apprentice Leung was reprimanded and advised to ensure he leaves sufficient racing room at all stages to runners to his inside. When AMAZING VENTURE shifted out to relieve the tightening to MY WAY, GO STITCH, which was following that horse, bounded and lost ground, resulting in CONFUCIUS FORTUNE, which was following, being severely checked and losing ground as a consequence. S K Sit (GO STITCH) reported that his mount again bounded near the 900 Metres for no apparent reason. As GO STITCH had performed similarly at its previous start, the Stewards ruled that prior to being permitted to race again, it will be required to perform satisfactorily in a series of official barrier trials on the turf and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Near the 700 Metres, GO STITCH was steadied when racing in restricted room between RARE TREASURE and CONFUCIUS FORTUNE. CONFUCIUS FORTUNE had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Approaching the 400 Metres, TRAVEL KING was checked away from the heels of FASCINATING SMILE and then was unable to obtain clear running from passing the 300 Metres until near the 150 Metres. Near the 50 Metres, MY WAY had difficulty obtaining clear running between THE KID and AMAZING VENTURE. Throughout the race, both THE KID and INCREDIBLE EAGLE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, O Doleuze (CONFUCIUS FORTUNE) stated that after being held up for clear running at the entrance to the Straight, he struck the horse with the whip near the 300 Metres and CONFUCIUS FORTUNE commenced to close off the race strongly. He said he again used the whip passing the 200 Metres and as he felt that his mount was fully extended, he resorted to riding the horse out vigorously hands and heels for the remainder of the race. O Doleuze was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he should ensure that horses ridden by him are fully tested wherever possible. B Prebble (AMAZING VENTURE) was fined $5,000 for improper use of the whip in that he raised weal marks over the horse’s right hindquarter. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration that B Prebble had been penalized for previous offences. A veterinary inspection of TRAVEL KING after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY PHOTO FRAME and GO STITCH after the race did not show any significant findings. TRAVEL KING, ISTIDE and AMAZING VENTURE were sent for sampling.