24/11/2013  Shatin  Race 10

GALLANT TRIUMPH was withdrawn on 23.11.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter REGENCY KING (A Suborics). Before being allowed to race again, GALLANT TRIUMPH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, it was noted that NEW VISION had lost its left front plate. This plate was refitted. NEW VISION was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. HAPPY ERA proved difficult to load. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY ERA will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. DUNDONNELL was slow to begin. PRESIDENT LINCOLN began only fairly and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of MAJESTIC FALCON which was taken in by METALLIC STAR which, despite the efforts of its rider, shifted in. REGENCY KING shifted out at the start and hampered GALAXY PRANCER. From wide barriers, BEST TANGO, ABLE FRIEND and HO IN ONE were all taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the 1100 Metres, NEW VISION was shifted out to avoid causing tightening to HAPPY ERA, resulting in GALAXY PRANCER being bumped and taken wider. After this, GALAXY PRANCER travelled wide and without cover. Also approaching the 1100 Metres, BEST TANGO lost its left hind plate. Near the 1100 Metres, DUNDONNELL got its head on the side and shifted in away from HO IN ONE and then lost ground after becoming badly unbalanced inside that horse. In this incident, ABLE FRIEND was inconvenienced. For some distance after this, DUNDONNELL proved difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when racing ungenerously behind HO IN ONE. Near the 1000 Metres, HAPPY ERA was steadied away from the heels of NEW VISION (U Rispoli) which shifted in when not properly clear. U Rispoli was advised that whilst the racing manners of NEW VISION which got its head up on a number of occasions during this incident had contributed to the matter, nonetheless he was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground and causing interference to other runners. After the race, G Mosse reported that GALAXY PRANCER did not feel comfortable in its action in the Home Straight, got its head on the side and lay out when commencing to give ground. He said because of this he eased the horse down near the 150 Metres. A veterinary inspection of GALAXY PRANCER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, GALAXY PRANCER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of HAPPY ERA, B Prebble stated that he had ridden the horse in a barrier trial in the lead up to the race and, in his opinion, that barrier trial was particularly good. He said based on the strength of this trial, a forward showing was anticipated from HAPPY ERA today. He said whilst HAPPY ERA was inclined to travel keenly at various stages of the race, the horse, which was first up since July this year, had previously travelled keenly when he had ridden it and he did not believe that this could be offered as a reason for the horse’s disappointing performance. He added HAPPY ERA came under pressure near the 500 Metres and after being shifted to the outside of GALAXY PRANCER was then very disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race. He said in the Straight HAPPY ERA gave him a feel that it may have gone amiss given the manner in which it dropped out of the race. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY ERA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY ERA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ABLE FRIEND and WAH MAY STAR were sent for sampling.