15/11/2014  Shatin  Race 10

At declaration time, B Prebble was declared as the rider of both MODERN TSAR and JUN HUO. It was established that B Prebble had a firm commitment to ride JUN HUO. As such, the Stewards permitted W M Lai to be substituted as the rider of MODERN TSAR. For this declaration error, B Prebble was fined $2,000. BOY OH BOY was withdrawn on 14.11.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter THE SYLPH. Before being allowed to race again, BOY OH BOY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When parading behind the barriers, MODERN TSAR and LITTLE DRAGON made contact. Both MODERN TSAR and LITTLE DRAGON were examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion they were suitable to race. SHORT SQUEEZE and THE SYLPH were slow to begin. From wide barriers, TERRIFIC MASTER and DIVINE DIYA were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1300 Metres, AMBITIOUS CHAMPION, which commenced to prove difficult to settle, shifted out abruptly away from the heels of BERLINI which was proving difficult to settle when attempting to obtain cover behind JUN HUO. Near the 1200 Metres, DIVINE DIYA shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of LITTLE DRAGON. On a number of occasions along the Back Straight and making the turn out of the Back Straight, THE SYLPH got its head up and proved very difficult to settle. After speaking with K Teetan regarding this matter and having in mind that this was the second occasion that THE SYLPH had proved very difficult to settle in its races from only two starts in Hong Kong, the Stewards ruled that prior to the being permitted to race again, the horse will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial around a bend. Near the 600 Metres, THE SYLPH was steadied away from the heels of SO CAFFE. For the major part of the race, BERLINI travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, C Y Ho stated that he could offer no explanation for the disappointing performance of GRAND ELITE as he expected the horse to quicken well in the Straight given that it had enjoyed a good run throughout the race. A veterinary inspection of GRAND ELITE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of GRAND ELITE, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GRAND ELITE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of DIVINE DIYA and SHORT SQUEEZE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BERLINI, JUN HUO and CLUB LIFE were sent for sampling.