14/11/2015  Shatin  Race 1

JET SET DRAGON (lame right front foot) and HEARTLAND (fever) were withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice. Before being allowed to race again, JET SET DRAGON and HEARTLAND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, HEAVENISARACEHORSE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said after the necessary consultations that the horse was suitable to race. BERNARD'S CHOICE began awkwardly. NATURAL EIGHT shifted out at the start and bumped GOOD VIEW DELIGHTS which became unbalanced. Shortly after the start, THUNDERSTROKE shifted out and brushed PERFECT SMART. Also shortly after the start, HEAVENISARACEHORSE got its head on the side, shifted in and bumped PERFECT SMART. From the outside barrier, HEY PRANCER was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. For some distance after the 800 Metres, GOOD VIEW DELIGHTS proved very difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of THUNDERSTROKE. Then approaching the 700 Metres, GOOD VIEW DELIGHTS shifted out away from the heels of THUNDERSTROKE, resulting in HEAVENISARACEHORSE being bumped on a number of occasions. After this, GOOD VIEW DELIGHTS travelled wide and without cover. Near the 750 Metres, INTELLECTUAL GLIDE commenced to travel keenly. Passing the 650 Metres, NATURAL EIGHT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOOD VIEW DELIGHTS when travelling keenly. Near the 550 Metres, NATURAL EIGHT raced in restricted room between HEAVENISARACEHORSE and GOLD PRECIOUS which commenced to get its head on the side and lay out away from the heels of THUNDERSTROKE. GOLD PRECIOUS continued to lay out and near the 500 Metres shifted out, despite the efforts of its rider, resulting in NATURAL EIGHT being checked when crowded for room inside HEAVENISARACEHORSE which became unbalanced when contacted on the hindquarters by NATURAL EIGHT. EASY AHEAD, which was following, was hampered and shifted out in consequence. INTELLECTUAL GLIDE, which was following NATURAL EIGHT, was also inconvenienced. As the Stewards were satisfied that there was no rider error associated with this incident, no action was taken. INTELLECTUAL GLIDE had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. O'SOCOOLE had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and near the 300 Metres was checked away from the heels of PERFECT SMART. Over about the last 100 Metres, BERNARD'S CHOICE was unable to obtain clear running and consequently was not able to be fully tested. A veterinary inspection of HEAVENISARACEHORSE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HEAVENISARACEHORSE, GOLD PRECIOUS and INTELLECTUAL GLIDE were sent for sampling.