04/01/2015  Shatin  Race 5

JOYFUL MOMENTS was withdrawn on 2.1.15 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inappetence) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter ALL WAYS BEST. Before being allowed to race again, JOYFUL MOMENTS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ALL WAYS BEST began only fairly. MERIDIAN TREASURE and STAR OF WAI BO bumped at the start. AMBITIOUS GLORY shifted out at the start and bumped CONFUCIUS ELITE. SLEDGE HAMMER and YOUNG TALENT came together on jumping. Making the first turn after the 700 Metres, HAY GO LUCKY became unbalanced and shifted out across the heels of REAL FIT, resulting in HAY GO LUCKY being checked and losing ground. MERIDIAN TREASURE and STAR OF WAI BO, which were following, were badly hampered in consequence. At the same point, SLEDGE HAMMER shifted out towards the heels of AMBITIOUS GLORY and consequently lost ground after having to be checked away from the heels of that horse. At the 500 Metres, AMBITIOUS GLORY shifted out and bumped CONFUCIUS ELITE which was taken wider. Passing the 200 Metres, SLEDGE HAMMER was checked away from the heels of AMBITIOUS GLORY. For the majority of the race, CONFUCIUS ELITE travelled wide and without cover. N Callan (STAR OF WAI BO) and B Prebble (MERIDIAN TREASURE) were each fined the sum of $2,000 for failing to present themselves in the Parade Ring by the required time. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that CONFUCIUS ELITE was lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, CONFUCIUS ELITE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GRAND PLUS, YOUNG TALENT and REAL FIT were sent for sampling.