01/07/2015  Shatin  Race 2

The Veterinary Officer advised it had been reported that LAUDABLE VIRTUE had been cast in the box just prior to being presented to race and was found to have blood from the nostril and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, LAUDABLE VIRTUE was withdrawn by order of the Stewards prior to the race. Before being allowed to race again, LAUDABLE VIRTUE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. LUCKY FOLLOW ME began awkwardly. TELECOM PRINCE began awkwardly and shifted in at the start, resulting in MANIPULATION being inconvenienced. FRIENDS OF YAN OI began only fairly. From the outside barrier, DANEWIN TIGER was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1100 Metres, SOLAR DRAGON got its head up and proved very difficult to settle when being steadied away from the heels of JUST ACE (C K Tong) which shifted in when not properly clear. C K Tong was advised to exercise more care. After the 1000 Metres, JUST ACE commenced to prove difficult to settle and was steadied away from the heels of CHARTER VICTORIA for some distance. SOLAR DRAGON, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence. LUCKY FOLLOW ME lost its right front plate near the 600 Metres. Near the 350 Metres, CHARTER VICTORIA (N Callan) became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by CHOICE EXCHEQUER (N Rawiller) which shifted out in an endeavour to improve into tight running between CHARTER VICTORIA and CHANS DELIGHT. N Rawiller was advised to exercise more care when attempting similar runs in the future. In this incident, CHOICE EXCHEQUER was struck across the nose by the whip of N Callan. After this, CHARTER VICTORIA commenced to give ground abruptly, resulting in TELECOM PRINCE having to be checked away from the heels of that horse passing the 300 Metres. Approaching the 250 Metres, CHARTER VICTORIA, which continued to give ground rapidly, was momentarily steadied away from the heels of CHOICE EXCHEQUER which shifted out into clear running. MANIPULATION had difficulty obtaining clear running until after the 300 Metres. The performance of JUST ACE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, JUST ACE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Throughout the race, TRAVEL MASTER travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of CHARTER VICTORIA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MAGICAL BEAM, MEDIC SWORDSMAN and FRIENDS OF YAN OI were sent for sampling.