17/02/2013  Shatin  Race 4

REGENCY CHAMPION began awkwardly and shifted in, resulting in LOVELY BOY being taken in onto SNITZEL KID which became unbalanced when crowded for room outside JOYFUL LUCK which itself shifted out at the start. BEAR SUPREME was slow to begin. From wide barriers, QUIET CONFIDENCE and MR GNOCCHI were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Near the 900 Metres, TAYSIDE shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of BEAR SUPREME and in doing so made heavy contact with the hindquarters of SILVER DRAGON which became unbalanced. After this, SILVER DRAGON commenced to prove difficult to settle and near the 750 Metres shifted out when being checked away from the heels of GREAT CHARM and in doing so bumped HEARTLAND, resulting in that horse being taken wider. As a result of this, SILVER DRAGON then raced wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. Near the 700 Metres, LOVELY BOY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SNITZEL KID. In the early part of the Straight, MIGHTY EQUUS shifted out across heels to obtain clear running. Passing the 150 Metres, MIGHTY EQUUS was momentarily held up when close to the heels of LOVELY BOY and when being shifted in bumped SNITZEL KID. For the majority of the race, PEARL WIN travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of TAYSIDE, R Fourie stated that the horse was more worked up before today’s race than it was at its previous start when it raced well. He said in the early stages he shifted his mount across behind runners and was able to enjoy a comfortable run towards the rear of the field. He said in the early part of the Straight he shifted TAYSIDE out as he did at its most recent start, however, the horse got its head on the side and would not shift to the outside as expected. He said because there was still ground to be made inside of runners, he allowed TAYSIDE to shift in rather than fighting against the horse to ensure that it remained to the outside of runners. He said when placed under pressure, TAYSIDE did not respond to his riding as it did at its most recent start and was disappointing. He added that, in his opinion, TAYSIDE lacked maturity at this early stage of its career. A veterinary inspection of TAYSIDE after the race revealed the horse to have sustained a wound to the mouth. A veterinary inspection of HEARTLAND after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of DRAGON KEEPER after the race revealed the horse to have bled from both nostrils. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that JOYFUL LUCK had sustained a cut to the outside of the left hind coronet. Also following the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on JOYFUL LUCK at the request of Trainer C W Chang. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, JOYFUL LUCK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GREAT CHARM and REGENCY CHAMPION were sent for sampling. <18/2/2013 Additional Veterinary Report> DRAGON KEEPER, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time the horse was found to have bled from both nostrils. DRAGON KEEPER was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer B K Ng this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, DRAGON KEEPER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.