05/07/2015  Shatin  Race 3

PEACE COMBINATION was withdrawn on 4.7.15 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inappetence). Before being allowed to race again, PEACE COMBINATION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GIDDY GIDDY was slow to begin. SENSIBLE CHOICE began awkwardly, resulting in its rider, W M Lai, becoming unbalanced. FANTASTICO began only fairly and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of DIVINE BOY which shifted out abruptly despite the efforts of its rider. At the 800 Metres, SENSIBLE CHOICE was steadied when crowded for room outside GIDDY GIDDY which shifted ground when awkwardly placed close to the heels of KIM GLORY. For some distance approaching and passing the 700 Metres, FANTASTICO travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed behind DIVINE BOY. Passing the 700 Metres, LEAN JOURNEY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ALL TIMES LUCKY. When questioned regarding the performance of SIR JOHN, B Prebble stated that he had ridden the horse in most of its work in the lead up to today’s race and this work, in his opinion, had been good. He said SIR JOHN proceeded to the Start satisfactorily and he had no concern with the manner in which the horse had been presented for today’s race. He said shortly after the start he was able to shift to the outside rail when GIDDY GIDDY did not begin well, however, he became concerned regarding the manner in which SIR JOHN was travelling after a short distance in that it was not on the bridle as it had been in the early stages in the majority of its races. He said SIR JOHN never travelled comfortably in the race and was inclined to lay in which is not a common trait for the horse when he had ridden it in both races and in track work. He added whilst SIR JOHN did not weaken noticeably, nonetheless the horse failed to let down and finished off the race only fairly. He said the manner in which SIR JOHN failed to stretch out comfortably in the race indicated to him that the horse may have a veterinary issue. A veterinary inspection of SIR JOHN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, SIR JOHN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of GIDDY GIDDY immediately following the race revealed the horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, GIDDY GIDDY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SIR JOHN, SECRET AGENT and DIVINE BOY were sent for sampling.