17/10/2012  Shatin  Race 5

HONG KONG DANCER and HI MOLLY were slow to begin. From the outside barrier, QUANTUM POWER was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the 1000 Metres, GLENEALY STAR raced tight inside CITY KING which shifted in when being steadied away from the heels of BOULD MOVER (M Chadwick) which shifted in when not properly clear. M Chadwick was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Making the turn near the 700 Metres, CITY KING (T Angland) got its head on the side and hung in, resulting in GLENEALY STAR being crowded for room. T Angland reported that CITY KING continued to hang in badly for the remainder of the race. After the 500 Metres, TURIN CHAMPION was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CITY KING. Then rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, TURIN CHAMPION was again awkwardly placed close to the heels of CITY KING when held up for clear running behind that horse. Near the 250 Metres, DARPANA was crowded for room when improving into tight running between MASTER RIO and HI MOLLY which shifted out. Throughout the race, FIRST IN COMMAND travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, K C Leung stated that after being held up for clear running behind CITY KING rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, he positioned TURIN CHAMPION to take advantage of a run between CITY KING and FIRST IN COMMAND were it to develop shortly after entering the Straight. He said at the same time he was aware that a run may be available for TURIN CHAMPION to the outside of FIRST IN COMMAND and inside TARREGA. He said for this reason he kept his options open in the early part of the Straight. He said near the 250 Metres CITY KING got its head on the side and hung in, resulting in a clear run developing between that horse and FIRST IN COMMAND. He said consequently he shifted TURIN CHAMPION in from behind FIRST IN COMMAND to improve into this run. He added that whilst this run had been available earlier in the Straight, he did not believe it was fully available and for this reason he did not improve immediately between those two horses. K C Leung was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he must, wherever possible, ensure that he avails himself of chances to improve at the earliest opportunity. A veterinary inspection of CITY KING after the race revealed that the horse had blood present at its left nostril. The Veterinary Officer said an endoscopic examination confirmed the horse to be a bleeder. A veterinary inspection of DARPANA including an endoscopic examination after the race showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, DARPANA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of HONG KONG DANCER after the race did not show any significant findings. FIRST IN COMMAND, BOULD MOVER and TURIN CHAMPION were sent for sampling.