16/02/2014  Shatin  Race 9

As K C Leung was unable to fulfil the engagement on KITAYA due to being overweight, H W Lai was substituted as the rider of that horse. K C Leung was fined the sum of $5,000. KABAYAN was slow to begin. BEAUTY FLAME began awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in WINNING LEADER being hampered. From wide barriers, REWARDING HERO and DALWARI were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Near the 1500 Metres, BEAUTY FLAME got its head on the side and shifted out. Passing the 1100 Metres, SHINY DAY shifted in and made contact with the hindquarters of BEAUTY FLAME which became unbalanced. Near the 900 Metres, PERFECT CHEERS commenced to prove difficult to settle and shifted out into a position without cover after being checked away from the heels of SEA DRAGON. When PERFECT CHEERS shifted out, NOBLE DELUXE and KABAYAN improved their positions inside PERFECT CHEERS which resulted in that horse being obliged to race wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. Near the 800 Metres, NOBLE DELUXE got its head up when being checked away from the heels of SEA DRAGON. Near the 700 Metres, PRESIDENT LINCOLN was taken wider by REWARDING HERO which shifted out. Both NOBLE DELUXE and FUN RIDER were held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of T Berry (FLASH KNIGHT), 5th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse’s finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels to the end of the race where circumstances permit. After the race, B Prebble reported that SEA DRAGON did not feel comfortable in its action and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of SEA DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, SEA DRAGON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of REWARDING HERO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. REWARDING HERO, KABAYAN and PRESIDENT LINCOLN were sent for sampling.