17/10/2010  Shatin  Race 6

BE MY SONG, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 14.10.10 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (substantial amount of blood in trachea on scoping after track work). Before being allowed to race again, BE MY SONG will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BUCCANEER began awkwardly and was slow to begin. As the start was effected, MAJESTIC HEART threw its head up and consequently lost ground. From a wide barrier, GRACYTOM was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, GRACYTOM, which was racing ungenerously, shifted in and bumped MAJESTIC HEART. For some distance after this, GRACYTOM continued to race ungenerously and after the 1200 Metres lost ground after getting its head up and shifting in across the heels of MAJESTIC HEART. At the 1400 Metres, TAKEANOTHERCHANCE became unbalanced when being steadied away from the heels of SHIFACHI TRADITION. Travelling along the Back Straight, SUPER GENKI, which throughout the race travelled wide and without cover, got its head on the side and lay out. Making the turn near the 850 Metres, GRACYTOM got its head up, shifted out and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MAJESTIC HEART. After the 400 Metres, ATHENIUM raced in restricted room between SHIFACHI TRADITION and ROYAL PANACHE which shifted out away from KING OF SCOTS when commencing to give ground. When questioned, J Lloyd stated that it was anticipated that DEPOSER and KING OF SCOTS, which were drawn to the inside of ROYAL PANACHE, would take up forward positions and that MAJESTIC HEART and BUCCANEER, the remaining two horses drawn to the inside of ROYAL PANACHE, would get back in the race. He said it was felt that ROYAL PANACHE would therefore be able to obtain a position with cover behind KING OF SCOTS. He said the tempo of the early stages was moderate and as he attempted to steady ROYAL PANACHE to obtain a position behind KING OF SCOTS, that horse was also steadied and as this was happening, ATHENIUM, which had initially drawn to the outside of ROYAL PANACHE, was able to improve quickly to the inside of his mount to race in a position behind KING OF SCOTS. He said because of these circumstances he was obliged to race three wide and without cover despite having drawn barrier 5. A veterinary inspection of MAJESTIC HEART and ROYAL PANACHE after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the trachea of each horse. SHIFACHI TRADITION, TAKEANOTHERCHANCE and KING OF SCOTS were sent for sampling.