09/05/2015  Shatin  Race 10

PRINCIPAL was withdrawn on 8.5.15 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter PRECISION KING (B Prebble). Before being allowed to race again, PRINCIPAL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When being saddled, RACING HERO’s left front plate was refitted. RACING HERO was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. MARVEL TRIBE began only fairly. GLORIOUS LAD shifted in at the start and bumped DR GOOD HABIT. From the outside barrier, RACING HERO was shifted across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, BIG FOUR was steadied when crowded for room inside MARVEL TRIBE (N Callan) which shifted in. N Callan was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care. After travelling a short distance, RAINBOW FIGHTER was momentarily crowded for room inside QUATERNION EAGLE. Approaching the 1200 Metres, GLORIOUS LAD raced in restricted room between LANG TAI SING and DR GOOD HABIT which shifted out. Approaching the 1000 Metres, TRAVEL FIRST was bumped by MARVEL TRIBE which shifted out after being brushed by LANG TAI SING. QUATERNION EAGLE, which was following, was hampered in consequence. Near the 950 Metres, BIG FOUR was bumped by RAINBOW FIGHTER which in turn became unbalanced and shifted ground after being bumped by QUATERNION EAGLE which shifted in abruptly before being shifted out to relieve the tightening. No further action was taken. In the early part of the Straight, MARVEL TRIBE had difficulty obtaining clear running and near the 250 Metres was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHOICE TREASURE. Then passing the 200 Metres, MARVEL TRIBE, which was endeavouring to improve into tight running between TRAVEL FIRST and CHOICE TREASURE (M L Yeung), was checked when disappointed for running due to CHOICE TREASURE shifting out under pressure. M L Yeung was advised that whilst the Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that MARVEL TRIBE had properly established running to the outside of CHOICE TREASURE, nonetheless he was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he takes appropriate corrective measures to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. Also passing the 200 Metres, PRECISION KING became unbalanced. Near the 150 Metres, TRAVEL FIRST, UNIVERSAL UNION and RACING HERO all raced tight. Approaching the 100 Metres, RAINBOW FIGHTER was shifted out away from the heels of RACING HERO which shifted ground. Near the 50 Metres, TRAVEL FIRST raced tight between UNIVERSAL UNION and CHOICE TREASURE. When UNIVERSAL UNION was shifted out to relieve the tightening to TRAVEL FIRST, RACING HERO was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. Throughout the race, TRAVEL FIRST and CHOICE TREASURE raced wide and without cover. After the race, both D Whyte (GLORIOUS LAD) and N Rawiller (LANG TAI SING) stated that their mounts did not handle the track conditions. A veterinary inspection of GLORIOUS LAD and LANG TAI SING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of QUATERNION EAGLE immediately following the race revealed the horse to have bled from both nostrils. TRAVEL FIRST, DR GOOD HABIT and PRECISION KING were sent for sampling.