01/10/2013  Shatin  Race 7

The Stewards today interviewed Mr A S Cruz, the trainer of BEST ELEVEN, as to the circumstances regarding that horse being entered and declared for this race when it had been vaccinated on Thursday, 26 September 2013. Regulation 124(k) of the Trainers’ Handbook provides that no horse shall be permitted to race within 5 clear days of being vaccinated. A clear day is determined as one which does not include the day of treatment or the day of the race. BEST ELEVEN was withdrawn from this race on Monday, 30 September 2013. Before being allowed to race again, BEST ELEVEN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Mr Cruz was found guilty of a breach of Rule of Racing 50(2) in that he failed in his responsibility for the work of the stable staff allocated to him which resulted in BEST ELEVEN being vaccinated within 5 clear days of today’s race in contravention of Regulation 124(k) of the Trainers’ Handbook. Mr Cruz was fined the sum of $25,000. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration that Mr Cruz had previously been charged with a breach of Rule of Racing 50(2). Whilst in the saddling stalls, STRAIGHT GOLD had its right hind plate refitted. STRAIGHT GOLD was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. As the start was effected, STRAIGHT GOLD lifted its front feet off the ground and began only fairly. VITAL FLYER began very awkwardly and then became unbalanced shortly after the start when crowded for room between CALIFORNIA BOUNTY and FREDERICK ENGELS which shifted out after being bumped by SOLAR GREAT which in turn shifted ground after being hampered by EAGLE REGIMENT. Approaching the 600 Metres, SOLAR GREAT became unbalanced when momentarily placed in restricted room between EAGLE REGIMENT and FREDERICK ENGELS. For the majority of the race, CALIFORNIA BOUNTY raced with its head on the side and hung in. When questioned, O Doleuze said, in his opinion, EAGLE REGIMENT raced disappointingly today. He said based on the fact that the horse had trialed very well in the lead up to today’s race and had done well in its track work, a forward showing was expected of EAGLE REGIMENT. He said he commenced to ride EAGLE REGIMENT along after the 600 Metres and normally the horse would show a very good turn of foot at this stage of the race. He said EAGLE REGIMENT did not immediately respond to his riding which is unusual and after the 400 Metres became unbalanced as he attempted to prevent FREDERICK ENGELS from shifting to the inside of GO BABY GO. He added in its past races EAGLE REGIMENT had quickened very well when asked, but in today’s race the horse only laboured and was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race. An initial veterinary inspection of EAGLE REGIMENT immediately following the race did not reveal any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped at this time. After being returned to the Equine Hospital for follow-up examination, an endoscopic examination of EAGLE REGIMENT was able to be performed which showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, EAGLE REGIMENT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. EAGLE REGIMENT, GO BABY GO and FREDERICK ENGELS were sent for sampling.