15/12/2013  Shatin  Race 8

ELEGANCE CLASSIC was withdrawn on 14.12.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (right fore tendon injury) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter DRAGON FIGHTER (M L Yeung). Before being allowed to race again, ELEGANCE CLASSIC will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BOY OH BOY began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped LET’S GOAL. When being steadied to obtain cover in the early stages, GLAMOROUS HONOUR got its head up and proved very difficult to settle. GLAMOROUS HONOUR then continued to travel keenly for some distance in the early and middle stages. When racing wide in the early stages, KEEN TACTICS was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover towards the rear of the field. Approaching the 1500 Metres, VICTORY HERO momentarily raced in restricted room between CHANCELLOR and DRAGON FIGHTER. Passing the 500 Metres, GRIFFINDOR raced tight between TODOS CON SUERTE and CHANCELLOR when improving between those horses. Rounding the Home Turn, DRAGON FIGHTER got its head on the side and lay out. At the entrance to the Straight, KEEN TACTICS was shifted to the inside of BOY OH BOY (D Whyte) which shifted out. D Whyte was advised to exercise due care when shifting ground in future. Right on the winning post, BOY OH BOY was shifted out away from the heels of VICTORY HERO. Throughout the race, DRAGON FIGHTER travelled wide and without cover. N Callan, the rider of the 6th placegetter, GRIFFINDOR, pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 100(2) in that he failed to ride his mount out all the way to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards. N Callan was fined a sum of $20,000. A veterinary inspection of KEEN TACTICS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BOY OH BOY, WAYFOONG EXPRESS and VICTORY HERO were sent for sampling.