03/11/2013  Shatin  Race 7

On arrival at the barriers, ACCESS YEARS, which was fractious and kicked a rail on entering the track, was found to have sustained a small wound over the right hind cannon, however, trotted sound and was passed suitable to race. TRIUMPHANT JEWEL began awkwardly and shifted in, resulting in PLENTY OF SPEED being taken in onto ULTIMATE WINNERS which was in turn taken in onto SCRAPPER WELL, causing that horse to become unbalanced when crowded for room outside BO BO EXPRESS which shifted out. In this incident, BO BO EXPRESS became unbalanced after making contact with SCRAPPER WELL. MASQUERADER began only fairly and shortly after the start was awkwardly placed outside the heels of MONEYMAKER. In the early stages, GRIMMY got its head on the side and lay out. After the 700 Metres, MONEYMAKER got its head up and proved difficult to settle when awkwardly placed inside ACCESS YEARS. Passing the 300 Metres, MONEYMAKER was shifted in from behind MASQUERADER. A short distance later, MONEYMAKER was shifted out to avoid the heels of TRIUMPHANT JEWEL which, when giving ground, shifted out. Near the 150 Metres, TRIUMPHANT JEWEL and HAPPY YEAH YEAH bumped. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of TRIUMPHANT JEWEL, H W Lai stated that his mount travelled strongly in the early stages when ridden in the lead. He said TRIUMPHANT JEWEL came under pressure near the 500 Metres and quickly came off the bridle. He said after the 400 Metres he had to place TRIUMPHANT JEWEL under heavy pressure and the horse commenced to make an abnormal breathing noise. He said after this TRIUMPHANT JEWEL weakened out of the race badly whilst continuing to make a respiratory sound. He added after the race when returning to the unplaced saddling area, TRIUMPHANT JEWEL continued to make this abnormal breathing noise. He said he had ridden TRIUMPHANT JEWEL in the majority of its track work and in its two trials in the lead up to the race and, in his opinion, that track work and trials had been reasonable. He said TRIUMPHANT JEWEL had made a respiratory noise on occasions in track work but not to the degree which was evident today. A veterinary inspection of TRIUMPHANT JEWEL immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. Trainer C S Shum stated that although he expected TRIUMPHANT JEWEL to race well, its track work and trials leading up to today’s race had been only fair. He said although TRIUMPHANT JEWEL raced very disappointingly today, the horse was up in grade at its first start for the season, but more so the finding of a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea by the Veterinary Officer after the race was, in his opinion, a valid reason for the manner in which it weakened out of the race in the Straight. The performance of TRIUMPHANT JEWEL, a favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TRIUMPHANT JEWEL will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of GRIMMY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on MASQUERADER at the request of Trainer A T Millard. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, MASQUERADER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TRIUMPHANT JEWEL, ACCESS YEARS and ULTIMATE WINNERS were sent for sampling.