26/11/2014  Happy Valley  Race 3

On arrival at the Start, D Whyte, expressed concern regarding SKY FAR’s action. SKY FAR was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion the horse was lame in its left front leg and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of SKY FAR. Before being allowed to race again, SKY FAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WINNER ST PAUL’S began awkwardly. JET SET DRAGON and RIBOT LEGACY were hampered on jumping by DANEWIN WINNING which shifted in. From wide barriers, POWER COOL, GREAT RUN and WINNING EXPRESSO were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. MERIDIAN TREASURE lost its left front plate in the early stages. Making the turn after the 1100 Metres, JET SET DRAGON got its head on the side and was checked after shifting out towards the heels of RIBOT LEGACY. GREAT RUN travelled keenly in the early stages. Near the 850 Metres, WINNER ST PAUL’S raced tight inside MERIDIAN TREASURE which was racing in restricted room inside GOLDEN BAUHINIA which throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. Near the 500 Metres, WHISTLE BLOWER got its head on the side and lay out. Rounding the Home Turn, RIBOT LEGACY blundered. Passing the 400 Metres, RIBOT LEGACY was shifted out away from the heels of WINNER ST PAUL’S which became badly unbalanced. When RIBOT LEGACY shifted out, MERIDIAN TREASURE was hampered when crowded for room inside GOLDEN BAUHINIA. Passing the 100 Metres, WHISTLE BLOWER and GREAT RUN made contact as a result of both horses shifting ground. Over the concluding stages, POWER COOL was awkwardly placed inside the heels of JET SET DRAGON. When questioned regarding the performance of WINNER ST PAUL’S, which was having its first race start in Hong Kong tonight, Z Purton stated that his mount raced greenly throughout the race and was reluctant to maintain its position inside other runners. He said because of this he was obliged to ride his mount along aggressively in the early and middle stages in order to have it maintain its position inside MERIDIAN TREASURE. He said approaching the 500 Metres he rode his mount along to take advantage of comfortable running which was available inside WHISTLE BLOWER when that horse hung out. He said when WHISTLE BLOWER shifted back in slightly to resume its position racing one horse off the rail approaching the 400 Metres, WINNER ST PAUL’S was again reluctant to maintain its position inside that horse and became badly unbalanced. He added he rode his mount along to have it concentrate and to maintain its position inside WHISTLE BLOWER, however, rounding the Home Turn WINNER ST PAUL’S brushed the running rail and again became badly unbalanced which resulted in the horse blundering shortly after entering the Straight. He said after this he pushed WINNER ST PAUL’S along in the early part of the Straight, however, as the horse was not responding to his riding and was giving ground and as he had concern over the horse’s action given what had occurred rounding the Home Turn, he eased it down over the final 200 Metres. A veterinary inspection of WINNER ST PAUL’S immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of WINNER ST PAUL’S, a favourite for tonight’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, WINNER ST PAUL’S will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of POWER COOL immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm and an endoscopic examination also showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. As this was the third occasion that POWER COOL had displayed an irregular heart rhythm, the horse must be compulsorily retired. WINNER ST PAUL’S, GREAT RUN and JOLLY POSH were sent for sampling.