04/01/2015  Shatin  Race 1

NATURAL EIGHT began awkwardly and lost ground. MASSIVE and ZACHARY bumped on jumping. Approaching the 900 Metres, SNOW SLIDER was bumped by LUCKY PIONEER which shifted out. A short distance after this, SNOW SLIDER was crowded for room between LUCKY PIONEER and ISLAND SPRING which hung in. In this incident, SNOW SLIDER bumped the hindquarters of ISLAND SPRING which became unbalanced. Near the 500 Metres, JOYFUL LUCK momentarily raced in restricted room between CALIFORNIA ROCK which hung in and MASSIVE which shifted out when awkwardly placed outside the heels of LYRIC ACE. After the 400 Metres, SHANGHAI PIONEER was awkwardly placed inside the heels of CALIFORNIA ROCK which continued to hang in. At the 200 Metres, M Guyon (JOYFUL LUCK) dropped his whip. Approaching the 100 Metres, ZACHARY raced tight between HAPPILY TIME and SNOW SLIDER which shifted in. Passing the 100 Metres, SHANGHAI PIONEER was held up for clear running behind LYRIC ACE before being shifted to the inside of that horse to continue improving. Throughout the race, CALIFORNIA ROCK hung in and proved difficult to ride. Before being allowed to race again, CALIFORNIA ROCK will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. CALIFORNIA ROCK lost its right front plate after passing the winning post. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on JOYFUL LUCK at the request of Trainer C W Chang. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, JOYFUL LUCK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, it was noted that ISLAND SPRING had sustained a small wound beneath the right hock. A veterinary inspection of HAPPILY TIME immediately following the race revealed the horse to be a “roarer” which had previously been reported. TRILLION TREASURE and JOYFUL LUCK were sent for sampling. <5/1/2015 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that CALIFORNIA ROCK was found to be lame in its right front and right hind legs and to have an ulcer right eye. As previously advised, CALIFORNIA ROCK will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial before being allowed to race again. It will now also be subjected to an official veterinary examination.