30/03/2014  Shatin  Race 5

After the running of Race 2, Mr G N W Leung, Racing Chemist (Operations) and Acting Head of Racing Laboratory, notified the Stewards that a pre-race urine sample he had analysed earlier today was found to contain the prohibited substance Phenylbutazone and its metabolites. It was subsequently established that the relevant sample was taken from EAGLE SPIRIT, a declared runner in this race, trained by Mr A Schutz. After receiving written evidence from Mr Leung, the Stewards acceded to a request from Mr Schutz to withdraw EAGLE SPIRIT from this race. Accordingly, EAGLE SPIRIT was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Further, urine and blood samples were subsequently taken from EAGLE SPIRIT under post-race conditions. The matter was adjourned until a date to be fixed. GOLDEN SCALPEL shifted out at the start, resulting in MR MARFACH being crowded for room inside FLYING IBIS. From wide barriers, CHINA DELIGHT, HEAR THE ROAR and SPICY SIAM were all taken across behind runners in the early stages. SUPER STRIKE lay in under pressure in the Straight. When questioned, K Teetan (OCEAN POWER) stated that, as instructed, he rode his mount along in the early stages to take up a forward position. He said when SUPERKING DRAGON improved around OCEAN POWER after the 1400 Metres, OCEAN POWER was able to obtain cover behind that horse. He said OCEAN POWER then travelled fairly and after the 400 Metres attempted to obtain tight running between SUPERKING DRAGON and WIN ALONG. He said whilst OCEAN POWER was disappointed for running between those horses, in his opinion, it was not travelling well enough to improve quickly into the run and establish a position between them. He said after being disappointed for running, he shifted OCEAN POWER to the inside of SUPERKING DRAGON, however, OCEAN POWER got its head on the side and lay out as it has a tendency to do in some of its track work. He added although OCEAN POWER had clear running over the final 300 Metres, the horse was disappointing in its failure to close off the race strongly. A veterinary inspection of OCEAN POWER 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, OCEAN POWER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, B Prebble reported that he had to make some use of SUPERKING DRAGON to clear runners to his inside and because of this was left racing in a three wide position without cover until near the 1200 Metres. He said he believed the fact that he had to make use of SUPERKING DRAGON which was having its first start at the distance in today’s race resulted in it weakening in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of SUPERKING DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, A Suborics reported that FLYING IBIS was making an abnormal respiratory noise. A veterinary examination of FLYING IBIS did not reveal any significant findings. Following the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that CHINA DELIGHT was distressed and that JOLLY GOOD STAR had sustained a laceration to the right front coronary band. Before being allowed to race again, CHINA DELIGHT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. OCEAN POWER, DRAGON BACHELOR and CHINA DELIGHT were sent for sampling.