14/10/2012  Shatin  Race 2

SOUTHCHINA CENTURY was withdrawn on 13.10.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (swollen right fore tendon) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter FLORA DANICA (T Angland). Before being allowed to race again, SOUTHCHINA CENTURY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After being loaded, DUO GLORY became fractious and reared on a number of occasions. Before being allowed to race again, DUO GLORY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. As the start was effected, MEGA turned its head to the right. MEGA then began very awkwardly, reared and lost a considerable amount of ground. The performance of MEGA, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MEGA will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. JUN DAO began awkwardly and made contact with the hindquarters of IMPECCABLE which shifted in. After this, JUN DAO was ridden along to improve its position, however, failed to muster speed. Shortly after the start, MAKE A FORTUNE was crowded for room between SHARP PRINT and FLORA DANICA which shifted in. Over the final 400 Metres, INVICTUS got its head on the side and hung in. Near the 300 Metres, JUN DAO (Apprentice C Y Lui) was shifted to the inside of IMPECCABLE to obtain clear running. In this incident, JUN DAO struck the heels of IMPECCABLE, resulting in that horse becoming badly unbalanced and having to be eased down over the concluding stages. Apprentice Lui was warned against the practice of positioning his mounts too closely to the heels of other horses. A veterinary inspection of IMPECCABLE after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, IMPECCABLE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Near the 150 Metres , DIAMOND KNIGHT was momentarily crowded for room outside KOWLOON EAST KING which shifted out. When questioned, R Fourie stated that consistent with the instructions he was given prior to WELL FIT’s first up run, he was asked to lead today if possible. He said, unlike at its most recent start, WELL FIT was reluctant to enter the stalls and after being loaded then stood awkwardly. He said this resulted in WELL FIT making contact with the left side of its barrier stall as the start was effected and losing ground. He said because of the manner in which WELL FIT began, this allowed XI YING MEN, which was drawn inside WELL FIT, to assert a margin over WELL FIT in the early stages which resulted in that horse being able to cross WELL FIT shortly after the start. He said because of the manner in which WELL FIT began, the horse was not able to lead in today’s race as had been intended. A veterinary inspection of JUN DAO after the race did not show any significant findings other than the horse had lost its left front plate. XI YING MEN and WELL FIT were sent for sampling.