27/12/2011  Shatin  Race 7

ELEGANCE KLAMMER blundered badly at the start and lost ground. CAPITAL K began awkwardly and then was hampered by ALL VICTORY which shifted out at the start. NICE FOLKS and PALEPALE bumped on jumping. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, NICE FOLKS failed to muster speed and settled back in the field. Approaching the 600 Metres, ROYAL DOCTOR (M Guyon) shifted in of its own accord, made heavy contact with the running rail and became unbalanced. PALEPALE, which was racing to the outside of ROYAL DOCTOR, shifted out away from that runner and bumped the hindquarters of RUMBA KING which became unbalanced. M Guyon was advised to be more attentive to the placement of his horse in relation to the running rail. When questioned, Z Purton stated that after being bumped on the hindquarters by PALEPALE on the first turn, RUMBA KING lost its action and then commenced to hang out. He said that at the 600 Metres RUMBA KING commenced to give ground abruptly and in the Straight he did not test RUMBA KING as it was well beaten at this stage and he felt that the horse may have gone amiss due to the incident on the first turn. A veterinary inspection of RUMBA KING after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of RUMBA KING, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, RUMBA KING will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. UNION’S STAR was retired from the race in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection of UNION’S STAR after the race revealed that the horse had bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of PALEPALE after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, PALEPALE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Following the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on WHAT A HEART at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, WHAT A HEART will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PALEPALE, ROYAL DOCTOR and MASTER RIO were sent for sampling.