20/11/2013  Happy Valley  Race 1

TELECOM CHIEF was withdrawn on 19.11.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (coughing after track work) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter ALL TIMES LUCKY. Before being allowed to race again, TELECOM CHIEF will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. From wide barriers, ALL TIMES LUCKY and MEGA were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, DIAMOND START was taken across behind runners when crowded for room between KOWLOON EAST KING and DRAGON CHOICE which shifted out. When being steadied making the first turn, DRAGON CHOICE got its head up and proved difficult to settle for a short distance. Making the first turn approaching the 1000 Metres, ALL TIMES LUCKY was momentarily steadied away from the heels of CHINA GOOD. For some distance after the 900 Metres, SHANGHAI PIONEER got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SERENDIPITY. Near the 850 Metres, MEGA, which was proving difficult to settle, shifted out away from the heels of KOWLOON EAST KING. In the early part of the race, HAPPY GOAL got its head on the side and hung in under pressure. Close to the finishing line, ALL TIMES LUCKY raced tight with DIAMOND START. After the race, W M Lai reported that KOWLOON EAST KING became unbalanced in its action on a number of occasions travelling along the Back Straight and came under heavy pressure to hold its position near the 600 Metres. He said as KOWLOON EAST KING did not feel comfortable in its action, he felt as though there was something amiss with the horse which prompted him to ease it out of the race after the 500 Metres. A veterinary inspection of KOWLOON EAST KING immediately following the race revealed the horse to have sustained a superficial abrasion to the left hind leg. The performance of KOWLOON EAST KING was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, KOWLOON EAST KING will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of KA WAI FORTUNE, Z Purton stated that his mount travelled satisfactorily until coming under pressure rounding the Home Turn. He said in the early part of the Straight KA WAI FORTUNE got its head up and commenced to make an abnormal breathing noise. He said after this KA WAI FORTUNE, despite being ridden out, commenced to give ground and continued to make a respiratory noise. A veterinary inspection of KA WAI FORTUNE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination revealed the horse to be a “roarer ” which had previously been reported. Before being allowed to race again, KA WAI FORTUNE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. KA WAI FORTUNE, SHANGHAI PIONEER and SERENDIPITY were sent for sampling.