21/05/2011  Shatin  Race 1

EXCELLENT WIN was withdrawn on 20.5.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, EXCELLENT WIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the barriers, it was noted that LIFELINE ELITE was displaying a profuse thick discharge from the right nostril. LIFELINE ELITE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was not suitable to race. Accordingly, LIFELINE ELITE was withdrawn by order of the Stewards acting on this advice. On arrival back from the barriers, an endoscopic examination of LIFELINE ELITE was performed which showed a significant amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, LIFELINE ELITE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After being loaded, CELESTIAL WORLD, which was having its first race start in Hong Kong today, became fractious. Before being allowed to race again, CELESTIAL WORLD will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. As the start was effected, BEST SCORER, which had been fractious in the barriers, lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. SAME SAME began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, MY MELODY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of REAL GENEROUS which shifted in. Passing the 900 Metres, SAME SAME, which had been ridden along to obtain a forward position, was steadied away from the heels of PONDEROSA which shifted in when barely clear. The performance of STAR SON, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, STAR SON will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that there was blood noted at the left nostril of PONDEROSA. An endoscopic examination of PONDEROSA was performed which showed blood at both nostrils and confirmed the horse to be an official bleeder. PONDEROSA and SHARE OF GOLD were sent for sampling.