27/04/2014  Shatin  Race 3

SWEET BEAN, which was difficult to load, will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test prior to its next race start. SWEET BEAN began only fairly. DIAMOND ELEGANCE was crowded for room at the start between LUCKY SCEPTER which shifted in and CULTURAL CITY which shifted out after beginning awkwardly. GIDEON and GOLDEN GUNNERS bumped at the start. DO YOU GET IT shifted in abruptly shortly after the start. After initially being steadied with a view to being taken across behind runners shortly after the start, MELLIFLUENT was then ridden along to obtain a position closer to the rail and after the 900 Metres was left racing wide and without cover. From a wide barrier, SUCCESSFUL LEADER was taken across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1000 Metres, when being steadied away from the heels of FAST AND EASY, REGENCY HO HO commenced to prove very difficult to settle, got its head up and shifted in abruptly despite the efforts of its rider, resulting in DIAMOND ELEGANCE being badly checked and losing ground. REGENCY HO HO continued to prove difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FAST AND EASY for some distance. As the Stewards were of the opinion that there was no rider error involved in this incident, no further action was taken. Passing the 900 Metres, O’SOCOOLE got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of REGENCY HO HO in consequence, resulting in GIDEON, which was following O’SOCOOLE, being checked away from the heels of that horse near the 800 Metres. Passing the 800 Metres, GOLDEN GUNNERS was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 700 Metres, O’SOCOOLE raced greenly and got its head up on a number of occasions. Approaching the 500 Metres, O’SOCOOLE raced tight between GIDEON and GOLDEN GUNNERS. LUCKY SCEPTER was unable to obtain clear running until passing the 200 Metres. B Prebble (KING OF SMARTS) was fined $3,000 for improper use of the whip in that he raised weal marks over the horse’s right hindquarter.  After the race, J Moreira (REGENCY HO HO) reported that his saddle shifted back in the early part of the race. Also after the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that O’SOCOOLE was found to have sustained lacerations to the left hind leg. A veterinary inspection of CULTURAL CITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of MELLIFLUENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. REGENCY HO HO, DO YOU GET IT and LUCKY SCEPTER were sent for sampling.