11/12/2013  Happy Valley  Race 2

NOSTALGIA was withdrawn on 10.12.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter GOLDMEN Y Y (M L Yeung). Before being allowed to race again, NOSTALGIA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Stewards tonight interviewed Mr T K Ng, the trainer of GOLDMEN Y Y, regarding the circumstances of that horse being withdrawn early this morning on a report from the Veterinary Officer that GOLDMEN Y Y was inappetent. Evidence was taken from Mr Ng, Assistant Trainer Mr W K Ip and Dr P Curl, Executive Manager, Veterinary Regulation. Mr Ng pleaded guilty to being in breach of Rule 50(5) in that contrary to Regulation 127(b) of the Trainers’ Handbook, at the time of the pre-race veterinary inspection conducted on the morning of Tuesday, 10 December 2013, he did fail to report a condition which reasonably had the potential to impact upon GOLDMEN Y Y’s suitability to compete in this race. In the circumstances, Mr Ng was fined a sum of $10,000. Before being allowed to race again, GOLDMEN Y Y will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie applied to STARLIT WARRIOR was refitted. ROYAL KNIGHT began awkwardly and shifted out at the start, resulting in MIZZEN GREY racing tight to the inside of DARK SECRET. After this, ROYAL KNIGHT was taken across behind runners. From wide barriers, CHANTILLY and YUAN’S FORTUNE were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. When being steadied to obtain cover behind SUPERKING DRAGON after the 1600 Metres, BILLION GAINS got its head up on a number of occasions and proved difficult to settle. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, BILLION GAINS again got its head up on a number of occasions when proving difficult to settle and awkwardly placed close to the heels of STARLIT WARRIOR. After the 1200 Metres, ROYAL KNIGHT proved difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOLD FORTUNE. Due to the slow tempo, BILLION GAINS raced close to the heels of STARLIT WARRIOR for some distance approaching and passing the 1000 Metres. At the 900 Metres, MIZZEN GREY was shifted out and allowed to improve its position towards the lead. A short distance later, BILLION GAINS was allowed to stride forward, however, for the remainder of the race travelled wide and without cover. Approaching the 200 Metres, HUMONGUS was shifted to the inside of MIZZEN GREY into clear running. At the 100 Metres, DARK SECRET (J Moreira), which had its head on the side and was laying in, made contact with SUPERKING DRAGON which shifted out slightly. This resulted in both horses becoming unbalanced. A short distance later, DARK SECRET again got its head on the side and shifted in further and then near the 50 Metres, despite the efforts of its rider, shifted in and bumped SUPERKING DRAGON which at the same time was shifted in away from DARK SECRET. J Moreira was reprimanded and advised that whilst there was movement from both horses which led to the initial contact, nonetheless the Stewards were of the opinion that he should have reacted quicker than he did on this occasion to straighten DARK SECRET. Over the concluding stages, STARLIT WARRIOR got its head on the side and shifted in under pressure. A veterinary inspection of BILLION GAINS 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, BILLION GAINS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BILLION GAINS, DARK SECRET and SUPERKING DRAGON were sent for sampling.