07/04/2015  Shatin  Race 9

DIVINE TEN was withdrawn on 6.4.15 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore right front tendon) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter LOVELY DELOVELY (H W Lai). Before being allowed to race again, DIVINE TEN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. As the start was effected, CHARITY JOY lifted its front feet off the ground and lost ground. FREDERICK ENGELS began awkwardly and knuckled over on jumping. ALL YOU WISH was checked on jumping when crowded for room between SMART VOLATILITY and KEY WITNESS which was taken in by DOMINEER. Near the 800 Metres, FREDERICK ENGELS and KEY WITNESS bumped, causing both horses to be hampered and FREDERICK ENGELS to shift in, resulting in CHARLES THE GREAT being inconvenienced. CHARLES THE GREAT then proved difficult to settle in the early stages. Near the 150 Metres, KEY WITNESS shifted in and bumped TOUR DE FORCE Z Purton (ALL YOU WISH) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 100 Metres he directed his mount out, resulting in CHARLES THE GREAT being taken out onto EAGLE REGIMENT, causing that horse to lose its rightful running and to be checked. Z Purton was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 23 April 2015 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 12 April 2015. In addition, Z Purton was fined $60,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SMART VOLATILITY, Y T Cheng stated that when found to be lame following its most recent race start, the horse then had some time off track work to overcome this problem. He said since resuming track work, SMART VOLATILITY had worked well and trialed well in the lead up to today’s race when ridden by him. He said SMART VOLATILITY travelled satisfactorily in the early and middle stages, however, after the 500 Metres came under pressure. He said, unlike when he had ridden the horse previously, SMART VOLATILITY did not respond to his riding today and was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened over the concluding stages albeit it had a well-documented setback after its last start. A veterinary inspection of SMART VOLATILITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on EAGLE REGIMENT at the request of Trainer K L Man. The Veterinary Surgeon reported this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, EAGLE REGIMENT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. RAD and TEOFILO CALVA were sent for sampling. <8/4/2015 Additional Veterinary Report>After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on EAGLE REGIMENT at the request of Trainer K L Man. The Veterinary Surgeon reported this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. EAGLE REGIMENT was examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer Man this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. As previously advised, EAGLE REGIMENT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.