15/06/2014  Shatin  Race 9

HEROIC GURU was withdrawn on 14.6.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SUPREME FALCON (C Reith). Before being allowed to race again, HEROIC GURU will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. REAL GENEROUS stood flat-footed at the start and lost a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, REAL GENEROUS will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. As the start was effected, KING’S STEED lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin and then despite being ridden along in the early stages failed to muster speed. After the 800 Metres, KING’S STEED proved difficult to settle. Approaching the 600 Metres, LEOWL, which was inclined to lay out, raced in restricted room between SUN PINS and TARZAN I AM. After the 500 Metres, LEOWL was shifted in away from the heels of SHINY DAY which was giving ground. At the entrance to the Straight, REAL GENEROUS was shifted out abruptly away from the heels of SHINY DAY which continued to give ground. At the 400 Metres, PRINCIPAL became badly unbalanced after being checked out away from the heels of KING’S STEED which shifted out after being brushed by CANNY FRANCO which had been racing tight outside TARZAN I AM which shifted ground to avoid the heels of DASHING SUPER which was giving ground. As there was no rider deemed to have ridden carelessly in this incident, no further action was taken. Near the 150 Metres, KING OF HOUSEHOLD was shifted in away from the heels of SUPREME FALCON. Passing the 50 Metres, KING OF HOUSEHOLD got its head on the side, shifted out and in doing so bumped the hindquarters of SUPREME FALCON which became unbalanced. Over the final 200 Metres, BULLISH SMART got its head on the side and lay in under pressure. Throughout the race, SHINY DAY and DASHING SUPER travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. SUPREME FALCON lost its left front plate after passing the winning post. A veterinary inspection of KING’S STEED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BULLISH SMART and SUN PINS were sent for sampling.