15/01/2012  Shatin  Race 6

DYNAMIC CROSS and COMMON GOAL were slow to begin. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, HEALTHY BLUEBERRY was slow to muster speed. At the 500 Metres, BEAUTY SUCCESS was momentarily steadied away from the heels of THE ONLY KID which shifted out. HEALTHY BLUEBERRY had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. After the 200 Metres, SNITZEL KID and DYNAMIC CROSS bumped, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. In the Straight, GILDED FLIGHT got its head on the side and hung out. Throughout the race, TOP DRAGON travelled wide and without cover. The performance of BAMBOO DANCE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BAMBOO DANCE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, D Beadman (OUR DYNASTY) stated that as he had been instructed to take up a forward position on OUR DYNASTY, he rode his mount positively out of the barriers, however, a short distance after the start his saddle shifted back significantly. He said the saddle continued to shift back and it was only prevented from shifting back further due to the horse carrying a breast plate. He added passing the winning post on the first occasion he attempted to correct the position of the saddle, however, it had shifted back too far and he was not able to rectify the problem. He said because of this after the 1400 Metres he retired OUR DYNASTY from the race. D Beadman confirmed that his saddle was positioned correctly in the Parade Ring and did not shift on the way to and behind the barriers. He said that the packing and the girth that he used with today’s saddle had been used previously by him on a number of occasions and had not caused any problems. The Club’s Officials confirmed that on pulling up the saddle on OUR DYNASTY was found to have shifted back a considerable way. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BRILLIANT CHARIOT, W M Lai stated that the horse travelled strongly in today’s race as it did at its most recent start when it finished second. He said rounding the Home Turn BRILLIANT CHARIOT continued to travel well behind the leader, GILDED FLIGHT and he expected the horse to finish off the race strongly. He said he placed BRILLIANT CHARIOT under pressure after the 400 Metres to improve into a run between GILDED FLIGHT and GOOD GAINS, however, BRILLIANT CHARIOT immediately came off the bridle and despite being ridden out in the Straight was most disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race. Mr C W Chang, the trainer of BRILLIANT CHARIOT, stated that the horse had done extremely well since its last start and had barrier trialed pleasingly in the lead up to today’s race. He said on the strength of its track work and its barrier trial he felt that the horse would be a strong chance in today’s race. He added that he was not able to explain the disappointing performance of the horse. A veterinary inspection of BRILLIANT CHARIOT after the race did not show any significant findings, however, an endoscopic examination was not able to be conducted on the horse post-race. The performance of BRILLIANT CHARIOT, a favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BRILLIANT CHARIOT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of OUR DYNASTY and SNITZEL KID after the race did not show any significant findings. BRILLIANT CHARIOT, GOLDEN TREASURE and BEAUTY SUCCESS were sent for sampling. <16/1/2012 Additional Veterinary Report>OUR DYNASTY, which was retired from the race after the 1400 Metres, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. OUR DYNASTY was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer J Moore this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in the left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, OUR DYNASTY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.