01/06/2014  Shatin  Race 6

THE PRINCE was withdrawn on 30.5.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame both fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SECRET AGENT (C Y Ho). Before being allowed to race again, THE PRINCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When parading behind the barriers, K C Leung was momentarily dislodged from SMART BEAUTY without further incident. YO-YO DA and GOLDEN GUNNERS bumped at the start. WINNING NINE began awkwardly and shortly after the start became unbalanced after making contact with STAR TRACK. After this, WINNING NINE was shifted across behind runners. After the 1000 Metres, SMART BEAUTY was shifted in away from the heels of SPLENDID DAYS which shifted in. Near the 950 Metres, WINNING NINE got its head up when proving difficult to settle and awkwardly placed close to the heels of RAY OF GOLD. After the 700 Metres, HOUSE OF LUCK got its head on the side and lay out. For the majority of the race, BRILLIANT DREAM and SECRET AGENT travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, T Berry stated that he had been asked to ride COSTA DEL SOL more quietly over 1200 Metres as the horse had not been finishing off its races recently when being ridden in a forward position. He said today when ridden in a position worse than midfield, COSTA DEL SOL closed off the race well, however, the horse, would, in his opinion, appreciate a step-up in distance in its future races. When questioned, O Doleuze (LUCKY SCEPTER) stated that after being loaded his mount became restless and then as the start was effected turned its head to the left, resulting in LUCKY SCEPTER losing ground. He said he immediately rode his mount along to make up lost ground and shortly after the start shifted in to race on the rail, however, was only able to obtain a midfield position. He said because of this LUCKY SCEPTER had to be ridden back in the field rather than leading as instructed. He added after riding his mount along vigorously in the early stages, LUCKY SCEPTER had to be checked from the heels of HOUSE OF LUCK for some distance after the 1000 Metres when proving difficult to settle. He said after this LUCKY SCEPTER then closed off the race satisfactorily. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY SCEPTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SPLENDID DAYS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that YO-YO DA had sustained a cut to the right hind tendon. LUCKY SCEPTER, BRILLIANT DREAM and STAR TRACK were sent for sampling. <3/6/2014 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that SMART BEAUTY was lame in its right hind leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, SMART BEAUTY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.