26/01/2014  Shatin  Race 9

TONYBOY was slow to begin. SCIMITAR and BRAVE BROTHER bumped at the start. After this, SCIMITAR, from a wide barrier, was taken across behind runners. MONTE CASTELLO began awkwardly. Approaching the 900 Metres, KING’S STEED lost ground after becoming unbalanced when crowded for room inside SKY FAR which, when being steadied to allow PRECISION KING to cross, got its head up, raced ungenerously and shifted in. Then passing the 800 Metres, SKY FAR, which continued to prove difficult to settle, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ROMAN LEGEND. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, ROMAN LEGEND and GRIMMY bumped, resulting in GRIMMY being taken out, causing DOMINEER, which throughout the race travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground, to be taken wider. SEA WARRIOR had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Near the 350 Metres, TONYBOY was steadied and shifted to the outside of the heels of AFFLUENCE OF RAIN after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. For some distance approaching the 300 Metres, SKY FAR and GRIMMY raced tight. Passing the 300 Metres, ABSOLUTE FANTASY was shifted to the inside of MONTE CASTELLO when disappointed for running to the outside of that horse and inside SKY FAR. Near the 250 Metres, GRIMMY, which was giving ground after racing wide and without cover until after the 600 Metres, was steadied away from the heels of AFFLUENCE OF RAIN (N Callan) which shifted in. N Callan was advised to exercise more care in future. For a considerable distance in the early part of the Straight, MONTE CASTELLO was taken back through the field when racing behind ROMAN LEGEND and DOMINEER, both of which were weakening. As a consequence, MONTE CASTELLO was unable to obtain clear running until passing the 150 Metres. A veterinary inspection of ROMAN LEGEND 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, ROMAN LEGEND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of DOMINEER and GRIMMY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PRECISION KING and BRAVE BROTHER were sent for sampling.