18/10/2015  Shatin  Race 7

As the start was effected, RED MARVEL lifted its front feet off the ground and began awkwardly, resulting in its rider, J Moreira, making contact with the inside barrier gate, becoming unbalanced and being dislodged. Before being allowed to race again, RED MARVEL will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. After the race, J Moreira was examined by the Club's medical officers and passed fit to fulfil his remaining race riding engagements. SUPREME FLIGHT shifted out at the start, resulting in NO MONEY NO TALK being crowded for room inside TRIUMPHANT JEWEL. TEN SPEED was slow to begin. REAL FIT and LUCKY CELEBRITY bumped at the start. TANGO FIRE lost its left front plate shortly after the start. After the race, N Rawiller stated that after this plate was dislodged, TANGO FIRE appeared unbalanced in its action and was reluctant to stretch out in the early and middle stages. After the 800 Metres, TEN SPEED was awkwardly placed inside SMART DECLARATION which shifted in away from the heels of HAPPY METEOR. After the 400 Metres, TRIUMPHANT JEWEL got its head on the side and was inclined to lay in. NO MONEY NO TALK was badly held up for clear running until near the 150 Metres. Approaching and passing the 100 Metres, SUPREME FLIGHT was held up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of HAPPY METEOR which was giving ground. Passing the 100 Metres, SMART DECLARATION raced tight outside the riderless RED MARVEL. Then at the 50 Metres, both SMART DECLARATION and LUCKY CELEBRITY were checked when RED MARVEL shifted out. Over the concluding stages, NO MONEY NO TALK was awkwardly placed outside TRIUMPHANT JEWEL which was racing tight outside RED MARVEL. After the race, N Callan (HAPPY METEOR) advised that he was unable to offer any real excuse for the disappointing performance of the horse. He said HAPPY METEOR travelled fairly in the race, however, when placed under pressure did not respond to his riding and then weakened over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY METEOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SKY MAN, Z Purton stated that when he had previously ridden the horse when it raced well, SKY MAN had been able to travel into the race comfortably. He said today TRIUMPHANT JEWEL applied pressure to SKY MAN in the early and middle stages and his mount was not able to travel comfortably as it had done in the past. He said SKY MAN came off the bridle prior to the 400 Metres and then, despite being ridden out, weakened thereafter. He added whilst there were some circumstances associated with SKY MAN's run, nonetheless, in his opinion, the horse was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of SKY MAN immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, SKY MAN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SKY MAN, TRIUMPHANT JEWEL and SMART DECLARATION were sent for sampling.