12/02/2013  Shatin  Race 6

GRAND ELITE was withdrawn on 9.2.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter PACKING CROSS (Apprentice K C Ng). Before being allowed to race again, GRAND ELITE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. REWARDING HERO was also withdrawn on 9.2.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (blood abnormality). Before being allowed to race again, REWARDING HERO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Stewards today interviewed Mr J Moore, the trainer of REWARDING HERO, regarding the circumstances of that horse being withdrawn subsequent to the prescribed time for the withdrawal of runners for today’s racemeeting. Evidence was taken from Mr Moore, Mr F C Lor, assistant trainer allocated to Mr Moore’s stable, Dr R Graham, Houseman, Veterinary Clinical Services, and Dr P Curl, Executive Manager, Veterinary Regulation. Mr Moore pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 50(5) in that contrary to Regulation 122(b) of the Trainers’ Handbook, he failed to ensure that the Veterinary Officer was informed of a condition which reasonably had the potential to impact upon REWARDING HERO’S suitability to race at the pre-race veterinary inspection. In the circumstances, Mr Moore was fined the sum of $10,000. HONEY KING PRAWN was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind). Before being allowed to race again, HONEY KING PRAWN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUPREME FLIGHT began only fairly. Shortly after the start, OTTIMO lost ground when crowded for room between PACKING CROSS and KING’S PACT which shifted out. Throughout the race, PACKING CROSS travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice C Y Lui stated that he had been advised that QUANTUM POWER can be difficult to manage in its races as it has a tendency to prove hard to settle. He said he was asked, if possible, to ride QUANTUM POWER in about a midfield position . He said QUANTUM POWER began very well and rather than fight the horse to bring it back to race in midfield as instructed, he elected to allow QUANTUM POWER to improve its position in advance of GOLDWEAVER to its inside in an endeavour to obtain a position closer to the rail. He said after the 1200 Metres he attempted to steady QUANTUM POWER to race outside the leader, CHEERS JOY, however, QUANTUM POWER got its head up and commenced to prove very difficult to settle, therefore he allowed the horse to continue forward with a view to leading. He said however CHEERS JOY continued to maintain its position to the inside of QUANTUM POWER and rather than continue to ride the horse forward, he allowed QUANTUM POWER to race in a one-off position. He said these factors resulted in QUANTUM POWER racing much further forward than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of QUANTUM POWER after the race did not show any significant findings. SUPREME FLIGHT, NICE FOLKS and KING’S PACT were sent for sampling.