16/03/2014  Shatin  Race 9

ADMIRAL LORD began awkwardly and lost ground. KHAYA blundered badly at the start. From wide barriers, HEI HEI POSH and HIGH TROJA were taken across behind runners in the early stages. After the 1300 Metres, TOWERING STORM was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 750 Metres, LUCKY OMENS momentarily raced in restricted room inside ADMIRAL LORD. Near the 650 Metres, ROCK THE TREE was inconvenienced when bumped by ADMIRAL LORD which raced tight outside EXECUTIVE MANDATE which shifted out. Near the 550 Metres, EXECUTIVE MANDATE and ADMIRAL LORD bumped when racing tight as a result of EXECUTIVE MANDATE attempting to shift out. Over the concluding stages, MALAYAN PEARL raced tight inside EXECUTIVE MANDATE. In the Straight, LUCKY OMENS hung in under pressure. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of FANTASTIC KAKA, Z Purton stated that after being required to lead due to the absence of any other runners wanting to take up that position, FANTASTIC KAKA, whilst not over-racing, did not relax as he hoped it would. He said FANTASTIC KAKA made a noticeable breathing noise during the race and when placed under pressure rounding the Home Turn immediately came under pressure and weakened out of the race. He added after the race FANTASTIC KAKA had its tongue over the bit which may have resulted in the horse choking down. A veterinary inspection of FANTASTIC KAKA immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. The Stewards ruled that FANTASTIC KAKA, a last start winner, will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. A veterinary inspection of MALAYAN PEARL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KHAYA and CARTOON FAY FAY were sent for sampling.