27/10/2013  Shatin  Race 1

On entering the track, PRONOUNCED HONOUR became fractious, resulting in M L Yeung being dislodged. M L Yeung quickly remounted PRONOUNCED HONOUR and on that horse’s arrival at the barriers it was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Also on entering the track, MEDIC KINGDOM became fractious and made contact with a running rail, resulting in K Teetan being dislodged. After being remounted, MEDIC KINGDOM proceeded to the Start satisfactorily. On arrival at the Start, it was noted that MEDIC KINGDOM had lost its right front plate. After having this plate refitted, MEDIC KINGDOM was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. As the start was effected, MAGICAL BEAM lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. BOLD TACK was slow to begin. LOTUS LOVE began only fairly and then despite being ridden along failed to muster speed. From a wide barrier, BAMBOO DANCE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. For some distance after the 900 Metres, MAGICAL BEAM had to be checked away from the heels of BOLD TACK when proving difficult to settle. In the early part of the Straight, MAN AND MING and CONFUCIUS ELITE raced tight. Approaching the 200 Metres, LOTUS LOVE was shifted in away from the heels of the tiring LUCKY CHEVALIER. Throughout the race, LUCKY CHEVALIER travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY CHEVALIER immediately following the race revealed the horse to have bled from both nostrils. When questioned regarding the improved performance of MEDIC KINGDOM, Trainer A T Millard stated that MEDIC KINGDOM had either been slow to begin or begun awkwardly on a number of occasions in its career. He said in its first up run this season, from barrier 13, he instructed the rider to shift MEDIC KINGDOM across behind runners in the early stages as this would provide MEDIC KINGDOM with the best opportunity to close off the race. He said however that on that occasion MEDIC KINGDOM proved difficult to settle and appeared to him to be resenting racing amongst other horses. He said this was confirmed after the race by Apprentice K C Ng who rode the horse. He added since its first up disappointing run, he had barrier trialed the horse on two occasions to improve its fitness. He said because of the manner in which MEDIC KINGDOM raced at its most recent start, from barrier 12 today, he instructed K Teetan to ride the horse positively in the early stages and take up a forward position providing it was able to begin satisfactorily. A veterinary inspection of MAGICAL BEAM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MAN AND MING, MEDIC KINGDOM and TREASURE MAN were sent for sampling.