12/10/2014  Shatin  Race 9

FASHION MAESTRO was withdrawn on 10.10.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (swelling over left knee) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter OSCAR MIRACLE (M L Yeung). Before being allowed to race again, FASHION MAESTRO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MEDIC MASTER was slow to begin. ENTRUSTING, which was leaning on the inside of its stall, began awkwardly. From wide barriers, BIG FOUR, JUN GONG and STRATHTAY were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1100 Metres, BIG FOUR was steadied away from the heels of MEDIC MASTER which shifted out away from the heels of SO CAFFE. Passing the 1000 Metres, OSCAR MIRACLE was awkwardly placed inside the heels of MASTER SOMMELIER. After the 1000 Metres, BRILLIANT DREAM was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 700 Metres, MASTER SOMMELIER commenced to hang out and then, despite the efforts of its rider, continued to shift to the outside rail. BRILLIANT DREAM, which was racing outside MASTER SOMMELIER, was obliged to continue to shift out with that horse, resulting in MASTER SOMMELIER being retired from the event and BRILLIANT DREAM losing a significant amount of ground and not being able to play a competitive part in the race. Having regard to the significance of this incident and MASTER SOMMELIER's previous record in respect of being difficult to manage, the Stewards ruled that the horse must undergo a series of not less than three consecutive official barrier trials around a bend before being allowed to race again. Mr J Size, the trainer of MASTER SOMMELIER, will be advised that should the horse offend in a similar manner at any time in the future, the Stewards may recommend to the Board of Stewards that the horse be compulsorily retired. Approaching the 200 Metres, REBORN TO WIN was awkwardly placed outside the heels of OSCAR MIRACLE which got its head on the side and lay out. Then over the concluding stages, REBORN TO WIN continued to be awkwardly placed outside the heels of OSCAR MIRACLE and consequently was not able to be properly tested. A veterinary inspection of MASTER SOMMELIER and REBORN TO WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HIDDEN VALUE, BIG FOUR and JUN GONG were sent for sampling. <13/10/2014 Additional Veterinary Reports>MASTER SOMMELIER, which commenced to hang out approaching the 700 Metres, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. MASTER SOMMELIER was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer J Size this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. As previously advised, MASTER SOMMELIER must undergo a series of not less than three consecutive official barrier trials around a bend and will now also be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.