02/03/2013  Shatin  Race 3

WHAT A HEART shifted out at the start and bumped GABRIAL THE KING which became unbalanced. JADE PIPPO and SUNSHINE KID bumped at the start. At the 800 Metres, SUNSHINE KID and HEARTS KEEPER, which travelled wide and without cover throughout the race, bumped. Then making the turn after the 700 Metres, SUNSHINE KID and HEARTS KEEPER again bumped as SUNSHINE KID raced tight between PURE VICTORY and HEARTS KEEPER which shifted in. In this incident, HEARTS KEEPER became unbalanced. Making the turn after the 700 Metres, JADE PIPPO got its head on the side and hung out. Also making the turn after the 700 Metres, SUNSHINE KID got its head on the side and lay out. GOOD FRIENDS MAGIC had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Near the 100 Metres, JADE PIPPO and WHAT A HEART raced tight. When questioned regarding the performance of DARPANA, Z Purton stated that his mount’s action throughout the race was of concern to him and in particular the manner in which its action deteriorated in the Straight. He said he had ridden DARPANA previously and today it did not feel as comfortable as it did when he had previously ridden the horse. He said as he had some concern over the manner in which DARPANA was travelling in the Home Straight, he elected to ease the horse down over the final 200 Metres. A veterinary inspection of DARPANA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings apart from some superficial abrasions to both hind cannons. Acting on the evidence of Jockey Purton, the Stewards ruled that prior to being permitted to race again, DARPANA must compete satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and undergo an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SUPREME HONG KONG, R Fourie stated that that the horse was out-paced in the early stages and consequently got out of its ground despite being ridden along. He said making the first turn SUPREME HONG KONG commenced to tack onto the back of the field, however, making the turn after the 700 Metres got its head on the side and hung out. He said the more he attempted to shift SUPREME HONG KONG closer to the rail, the more the horse hung out and consequently it made the Home Turn very wide. He said because of this SUPREME HONG KONG lost a considerable amount of ground and then was not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of SUPREME HONG KONG including an endoscopic examination immediately following the race showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. The racing manners of SUPREME HONG KONG, a favourite for today’s race, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUPREME HONG KONG will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GOOD FRIENDS MAGIC, SUPREME HONG KONG, HEARTS KEEPER and JADE PIPPO were sent for sampling.