01/10/2011  Shatin  Race 3

PERPETUAL KINGDOM was withdrawn on 30.9.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (coughing) and was replaced by first Standby Declared Starter VIVA DOLPHIN (C K Tong). KINGS DOMAIN was also withdrawn on 30.9.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter FIGHTING HEART (Z Purton). Before being allowed to race again, PERPETUAL KINGDOM and KINGS DOMAIN will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After beginning awkwardly, HIGH-LOFT was bumped by HOT PEPPER which shifted in at the start. VIVA DOLPHIN began awkwardly and shifted in at the start despite the efforts of its rider, causing FORTUNE TOGETHER to be hampered and ABLE MAGIC, which had been a bit slow to begin, to be checked. A short distance later, FORTUNE TOGETHER bumped the hindquarters of GREAT PEGASUS which shifted out slightly, resulting in FORTUNE TOGETHER being checked, becoming unbalanced and also resulting in GREAT PEGASUS and VIVA DOLPHIN becoming badly unbalanced. Approaching the first turn, FORTUNE TOGETHER, which was racing fiercely, was restrained away from the heels of EKRAAR EMPEROR which shifted in. At the entrance to the Straight, MEGA CHAMPION was steadied when disappointed for a run between HIGH-LOFT and HOT PEPPER (Apprentice K C Ng) which, after shifting out on the Home Turn, shifted back in to race alongside the leader, HIGH-LOFT. When steadied, MEGA CHAMPION shifted in, resulting in ABLE MAGIC being checked. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that he had not shifted out to a three wide position and allowed a full run for MEGA CHAMPION to his inside, Apprentice Ng was nonetheless advised to be more alert to the placement of his mounts and aware of them shifting ground. HIGH-LOFT raced greenly under pressure over the concluding stages. GREAT PEGASUS and SPEARHEAD raced wide and without cover throughout the event. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that ABLE MAGIC had lost its left front plate. A veterinary inspection of HIGH-LOFT after the race including an endoscopic examination confirmed the horse to be a “roarer”. A veterinary inspection of FIGHTING HEART after the race, which compounded badly in the Straight, did not show any significant findings. MEGA CHAMPION and SPEARHEAD were sent for sampling.