18/11/2012  Shatin  Race 2

After being loaded, FANTASY AND GOLD (C W Wong) reared over and sustained a large laceration to the outside of the left front leg. FANTASY AND GOLD was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of the horse. Before being allowed to race again, FANTASY AND GOLD will be required to perform satisfactorily in a series of official barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. In reaching this decision, the Stewards were cognizant of the fact that FANTASY AND GOLD had performed similarly in official barrier trials. After the race, C W Wong was examined by the Club’s medical officers and found him suitable to fulfil his remaining riding engagements. FOREVER AHEAD, which had drawn the adjacent barrier stall to that occupied by FANTASY AND GOLD, was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. MEDIC KINGDOM was slow to begin. IMPECCABLE shifted in at the start and hampered SAFARI MAGIC. LUCKY SCEPTER and GLORY WIN bumped at the start. From wide barriers, IMPECCABLE and INFINITE COURAGE were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the 800 Metres, LUCKY SCEPTER (Apprentice C Y Lui) shifted out away from the heels of GLORY WIN after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse and in doing so made heavy contact with FOREVER AHEAD, causing both horses to become badly unbalanced. Apprentice Lui was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that his mount was racing close to the heels of the runner in front, nonetheless he must do his utmost to prevent his horse from shifting ground and causing interference to not only his own mount but to other runners. HEARTLAND and MEDIC KINGDOM, which were following, were hampered in consequence. Shortly after entering the Straight, FOREVER AHEAD and WHITE HART KING raced in restricted room inside HEARTLAND which shifted in. Passing the 400 Metres, MEDIC KINGDOM got its head on the side and shifted in across the heels of FOREVER AHEAD. Over the concluding stages, LUCKY SCEPTER raced in restricted room between THE PRINCE and HINYUEN PALADIN. Over the concluding stages, GLORY WIN, which was finishing off the race fairly, was steadied when unable to continue improving inside THE PRINCE which shifted in marginally under pressure. Also over the concluding stages MEDIC KINGDOM was not able to obtain clear running. Throughout the race, EXPEDITE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of FOREVER AHEAD, D Whyte stated that although his mount was badly hampered approaching the 800 Metres, nonetheless FOREVER AHEAD quickly regained its balance and travelled strongly after the incident. He said after being momentarily held up for clear running behind EXPEDITE rounding the Home Turn, FOREVER AHEAD immediately came under pressure in the early part of the Straight and then was disappointing in its failure to close off the race when placed under pressure. A veterinary inspection of FOREVER AHEAD after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on INFINITE COURAGE at the request of Trainer A S Cruz. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. FOREVER AHEAD, HINYUEN PALADIN and THE PRINCE were sent for sampling.