28/06/2014  Shatin  Race 9

Whilst in the saddling stalls, SPEEDYGONZALEZ had its left front plate refitted. SPEEDYGONZALEZ was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. On arrival at the Start, it was noted that HAPPY JOURNEY had lost its left hind plate. After being replated behind the barriers, HAPPY JOURNEY was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. After being loaded, HAPPY JOURNEY became fractious and reared. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY JOURNEY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. WINDICATOR STAR was slow to begin and from a wide barrier was taken across behind runners in the early stages. Shortly after the start, SMART FORWARD and SPEEDYGONZALEZ bumped on a number of occasions. Also shortly after the start, KIROV lost its right hind plate. From wide barriers, ROYAL PARTNER, CONFUCIUS SPIRIT and KIROV were shifted across behind runners shortly after the start. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, FAT CHOY HONG KONG failed to muster speed and shortly after the start was taken back to a position with cover. Passing the 1100 Metres, SPEEDYGONZALEZ was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of SMART FORWARD. After this, SPEEDYGONZALEZ got its head up on a number of occasions when proving difficult to settle for some distance. After the 1000 Metres, HAPPY JOURNEY lost its left hind plate. The Stewards inquired into the reason for O Doleuze being dislodged from FABULOUS NOVEMBER approaching the 800 Metres. After taking evidence from O Doleuze and K Teetan (ALL THE BEST) and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that at about the 850 Metres ALL THE BEST became unbalanced, lost ground and shifted out abruptly after jumping shadows on the track. FABULOUS NOVEMBER, which was following, was severely checked in consequence, struck the heels of ALL THE BEST and blundered badly, resulting in O Doleuze being dislodged. The Stewards ruled that prior to being permitted to race again, ALL THE BEST must satisfactorily undergo a series of official barrier trials around a bend. This matter will be brought to the attention of Mr D Cruz, the trainer of ALL THE BEST, who was not in Hong Kong today. After this incident, ALL THE BEST travelled wide and without cover. Approaching the 800 Metres, PEARL WIN momentarily raced tight inside SMART FORWARD which got its head on the side and shifted in away from ALL THE BEST. After the 800 Metres, CONFUCIUS SPIRIT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPEEDYGONZALEZ which continued to prove difficult to settle. After the 700 Metres, SPEEDYGONZALEZ, which was continuing to prove difficult to settle, was shifted out away from the heels of KEY WITNESS and after this travelled wide and without cover. Near the 350 Metres, ST YAZIN was shifted to the inside of ALL THE BEST to obtain clear running. Passing the 200 Metres, ALL THE BEST got its head on the side and shifted in, causing ST YAZIN to be inconvenienced. After the 100 Metres, KEY WITNESS got its head on the side and shifted in under pressure, resulting in its rider, N Callan, having to stop riding and straighten his mount near the 50 Metres. A veterinary inspection of FABULOUS NOVEMBER and ALL THE BEST immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FABULOUS NOVEMBER, PEARL WIN and KEY WITNESS were sent for sampling. <30/6/2014 Additional Veterinary Report>FABULOUS NOVEMBER was examined by the Veterinary Officer after being involved in an incident near the 800 Metres. He said at that time there were no significant findings. FABULOUS NOVEMBER was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer R Gibson yesterday morning. He said at this time he found the horse to be lame in its left hind leg with a swollen fetlock. Before being allowed to race again, FABULOUS NOVEMBER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.