15/06/2014  Shatin  Race 10

On arrival at the Start, T Berry reported that SEA DIAMOND had made contact with a rail when proceeding to the barriers. SEA DIAMOND was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. IMPERIAL ROME was slow to begin. MR GENUINE began awkwardly and shortly after the start became unbalanced after being bumped by GIANT’S STEPS. From a wide barrier, HO IN ONE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 1300 Metres, MR GENUINE got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of WONDERFUL MOMENTS. After the 1000 Metres, SICHUAN VIGOUR was steadied away from the heels of LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT (A Suborics) which shifted in when not quite clear. A Suborics was advised to exercise more care. In this incident, SICHUAN VIGOUR shifted in and bumped NONE OTHER. Near the 500 Metres, LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT was bumped by NONE OTHER which got its head on the side and shifted out after being brushed by WONDERFUL MOMENTS. Near the 450 Metres, FUN RIDER raced tight between HO IN ONE and IMPERIAL ROME which shifted out away from the heels of GIANT’S STEPS which was commencing to give ground. Throughout the race, LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, T Berry stated that he had been given the same instructions for this race as he was at its most recent start and that was if SEA DIAMOND began well, to ride the horse in a forward position, however, if the horse was slow to begin as has often been the case, to shift it across behind runners and obtain a position with cover. He said SEA DIAMOND has issues in the barrier stalls and at its last start the horse was slow to begin and then was crowded for room shortly after he start and because of this was not able to be ridden in a forward position. He said in today’s race the horse began well and, with its relatively light weight, was able to obtain a forward position without too much use having to be made of it. B Prebble stated that he had not ridden SEA DRAGON in the lead up to today’s race and as the horse was led to the Start by a pony, he was not able to properly gauge the horse’s action. He said shortly after the start SEA DRAGON’s action did not feel comfortable and it seemed to him that the horse was sore in front. He said because of SEA DRAGON’s action, he retired it out of the race shortly after the start. A veterinary inspection of SEA DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, SEA DRAGON will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the performance of SICHUAN VIGOUR, O Doleuze stated that although his mount was three wide, he was able to obtain cover behind LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT. He said he shifted SICHUAN VIGOUR to the outside of LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT after the 500 Metres and SICHUAN VIGOUR initially responded with a good turn of foot. He said however that after the 300 Metres SICHUAN VIGOUR commenced to weaken on its run and over the concluding stages was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of SICHUAN VIGOUR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GIANT’S STEPS immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. WONDERFUL MOMENTS and SEA DIAMOND were sent for sampling. <16/6/2014 Additional Veterinary Report>SEA DRAGON, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. SEA DRAGON was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer T P Yung this morning. He said at this time he found the horse to be lame in its left front leg. As previously advised, SEA DRAGON will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.