16/10/2013  Shatin  Race 1

As the start was effected, GOLD FORTUNE initially stood flat-footed and then bounded in the air, resulting in the horse losing a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, GOLD FORTUNE will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. LOTUS LOVE blundered badly at the start and then shifted out and bumped THE ONLY KID. JUST GOOD was slow to begin. Making the turn near the 700 Metres, TELECOM CHIEF lost ground when shifted out away from the heels of CAVALE which got its head on the side and made the turn awkwardly. LOTUS LOVE, which was following TELECOM CHIEF, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence and in doing so shifted out and made contact with THE ONLY KID, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Approaching the 400 Metres, RAINBOW SEEKER was momentarily crowded for room inside TELECOM CHIEF which shifted to the inside of CAVALE. H W Lai (LOTUS LOVE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 400 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of GOLD TARTINI, causing that horse to be taken out and in turn making contact with WIN ESPRIT which as a result became unbalanced and blundered badly. H W Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 14 November 2013 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 3 November 2013. For the majority of the race, SUPERKING DRAGON travelled wide and without cover. The performances of FANTASY AND GOLD and WIN ESPRIT, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FANTASY AND GOLD and WIN ESPRIT will both be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that an endoscopic examination was conducted on LOTUS LOVE. He said this examination confirmed the horse to be a “roarer” which had previously been reported. A veterinary inspection of CAVALE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, CAVALE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of RAINBOW SEEKER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GOLD TARTINI, PERFECT JOY and THE ONLY KID were sent for sampling.