07/07/2013  Shatin  Race 2

When in the Parade Ring, JOLLY SPRING proved very fractious and had to be removed from the Parade Ring early. JOLLY SPRING then proved reluctant to proceed onto the track. Having in mind JOLLY SPRING’s behaviour in the Parade Ring at its only other Hong Kong start, the Stewards ruled that the horse must barrier trial satisfactorily and undergo a series of satisfactory parade tests at both Happy Valley and Sha Tin racecourses before being allowed to race again. RACING REWARD began awkwardly. STEP HIGH began awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in SKY IDEA being crowded for room inside GERONIMO MEADOW. From wide barriers, CAPTAIN AMERICA and JUST MISTERE were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. When left racing wide passing the 1200 Metres, HAPPY CENTENARY got its head up on a number of occasions and over-raced when being steadied to obtain a position with cover behind LORD DRAGON. Making the turn near the 850 Metres, STEP HIGH got its head on the side, shifted out and in doing so made contact with the hindquarters of HINYUEN PALADIN which became unbalanced. Then approaching the 700 Metres, STEP HIGH, which continued to race with its head on the side, lost ground when momentarily tightened for room inside HINYUEN PALADIN which shifted in slightly. GERONIMO MEADOW, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of STEP HIGH in consequence. Passing the 600 Metres, QUANTUM POWER got its head up when being checked away from the heels of SICHUAN EXEC which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SKY IDEA. Also passing the 600 Metres, RACING REWARD was steadied away from the heels of GERONIMO MEADOW which got its head up when being checked away from the heels of STEP HIGH. Approaching the 500 Metres, JUST MISTERE became unbalanced when bumped on a number of occasions by SICHUAN EXEC which, after shifting out away from the heels of SKY IDEA, then got its head on the side and shifted further. In the early part of the Straight, JUST MISTERE got its head on the side, hung in and proved difficult to ride and near the 350 Metres bumped SICHUAN EXEC. Close to the finishing line, RACING REWARD was steadied away from the heels of LORD DRAGON which was taken out by GERONIMO MEADOW (C K Tong). C K Tong was advised to exercise care. Because of this, RACING REWARD was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. Throughout the race, JOLLY SPRING travelled wide and without cover. After the race, Z Purton reported that HINYUEN PALADIN did not feel comfortable in its action in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of HINYUEN PALADIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings other than the horse had sustained wounds over the left hind pastern and cannon. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SICHUAN EXEC had lost its left hind plate. A veterinary inspection of SKY IDEA immediately following the race revealed that it was displaying an irregular heart rhythm, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. Before being permitted to race again, SKY IDEA will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of QUANTUM POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SICHUAN EXEC, GERONIMO MEADOW and TARREGA were sent for sampling.