04/05/2014  Shatin  Race 6

After being loaded, JOLLY GOOD STAR became fractious, lunged at the front gates and momentarily sat down. JOLLY GOOD STAR was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. A veterinary inspection of JOLLY GOOD STAR immediately following the race revealed the horse to have sustained lacerations to the left hind pastern and cannon. Before being allowed to race again, JOLLY GOOD STAR will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. As the start was effected, GOLDEN SCALPEL became fractious, reared and consequently lost a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, GOLDEN SCALPEL will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. Passing the 1500 Metres, JOLLY GOOD STAR shifted out when proving difficult to settle and awkwardly placed close to the heels of INDUSTRIALIST WAY which was over-racing behind OCEAN POWER. CHINA DELIGHT, which was following JOLLY GOOD STAR, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence. SPICY SIAM lost its left hind plate at the 1100 Metres. After the 1100 Metres, OXFORD CHARLEY was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 1000 Metres, INDUSTRIALIST WAY commenced to prove very difficult to settle and shifted in abruptly when being checked away from the heels of OCEAN POWER. After the 900 Metres, JOLLY GOOD STAR was left racing four wide and without cover. Passing the 700 Metres, SPICY SIAM momentarily raced in restricted room between ACTIVISM and INDUSTRIALIST WAY which shifted in. Right on the winning post, INDUSTRIALIST WAY was crowded for room between CHINA DELIGHT and OXFORD CHARLEY which shifted out. INDUSTRIALIST WAY lost its right hind plate during the running of the race. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of NATURAL CHAMPION, B Prebble stated that his mount travelled well in a forward position with cover. He said NATURAL CHAMPION continued to travel strongly and at the entrance to the Straight he was able to shift out from behind MALAYAN PEARL into clear running between that horse and OXFORD CHARLEY. He said NATURAL CHAMPION initially gave him a good response when placed under pressure, however, after the 200 Metres commenced to weaken on its run and he initially became concerned that he was not able to improve inside OXFORD CHARLEY given the manner in which the horse had travelled. He added over the final 150 Metres NATURAL CHAMPION gave ground rapidly which was of concern to him and he felt that something may have gone amiss with the horse. He said however that after pulling up quickly following the race he could detect no obvious reasons for NATURAL CHAMPION’s performance. A veterinary inspection of NATURAL CHAMPION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of NATURAL CHAMPION, a winner of last two races, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, NATURAL CHAMPION will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CHINA DELIGHT, OCEAN POWER and OXFORD CHARLEY were sent for sampling.