17/09/2014  Shatin  Race 2

IT CAN ONLY BE YOU was slow to begin. P J HALL began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, DIAMOND ANGEL and FRESH AIR were crowded for room between PALEPALE and HAPPY GOAL which shifted out after being bumped by GOLD TALENT. Passing the 800 Metres, SLEDGE HAMMER, which was travelling keenly, became awkwardly placed close to the heels of NINE DRAGONS which was being steadied by its rider to allow HAPPY GOAL to cross. In this incident, SLEDGE HAMMER struck the heels of NINE DRAGONS, resulting in that horse becoming badly unbalanced and losing ground abruptly, causing SLEDGE HAMMER to be severely checked away from the heels of NINE DRAGONS in consequence and resulting in both NINE DRAGONS and SLEDGE HAMMER losing a considerable amount of ground. P J HALL, which was racing to the inside of SLEDGE HAMMER, became unbalanced near the 750 Metres when bumped on the hindquarters by SLEDGE HAMMER. IT CAN ONLY BE YOU, which was following P J HALL, was checked in consequence. After this, NINE DRAGONS was eased down and finished tailed off. Although this incident was one of some significance, the Stewards formed the view that there was no rider error involved and accordingly no further action was taken. A veterinary inspection of NINE DRAGONS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, NINE DRAGONS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Passing the 600 Metres, FRESH AIR and MISTER MARC raced tight. Passing the 200 Metres, IT CAN ONLY BE YOU was shifted out away from the heels of P J HALL. SLEDGE HAMMER lay in under pressure in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of P J HALL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of ALWAYS WONDERFUL, which was found to be coughing after the race, revealed that horse to have a substantial amount of blood in its trachea. The performance of ALWAYS WONDERFUL, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ALWAYS WONDERFUL will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SLEDGE HAMMER, PALEPALE and HAPPY GOAL were sent for sampling.