19/12/2015  Shatin  Race 2

MAJOR CONNECTION was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (fever). Before being allowed to race again, MAJOR CONNECTION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After being loaded, NOBLE BUDDIES became fractious, reared and momentarily got its right front leg into the adjoining stall. NOBLE BUDDIES was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, NOBLE BUDDIES will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. RUMINARE began awkwardly. EXCITABLE BOY was crowded for room on jumping between FREE NOVEMBER and HAMMER KING. Near the 950 Metres, SEA WARRIOR was crowded for room and NOBLE BUDDIES and STARRY STARLIES inconvenienced when PEACE COMBINATION (A Suborics) shifted out. A Suborics was reprimanded. Near the 850 Metres, FREE NOVEMBER was crowded for room outside HEAVENLY MASTERS which initially shifted out away from PEACE COMBINATION and then was taken out further by that horse. A Suborics was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Approaching the 800 Metres, HAMMER KING became unbalanced when being checked away from the heels of EXCITABLE BOY. Passing the 750 Metres, EXCITABLE BOY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PEACE COMBINATION which shifted out when not quite clear. A Suborics was advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. After the 700 Metres, RUMINARE, which was proving difficult to settle, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PEACE COMBINATION after being bumped by GLORY HORSIE which shifted in marginally. For some distance after the 400 Metres, HAMMER KING was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GLORY HORSIE. HAMMER KING then had some difficulty obtaining clear running until passing the 200 Metres at which time the horse bumped HEAVENLY MASTERS when being shifted in away from the heels of RUMINARE to obtain clear running. Approaching the 300 Metres, DOUBLE MASTER, which was laying in, was awkwardly placed outside the heels of GLORY HORSIE which shifted out. HAY GO LUCKY, which was following, was steadied in consequence. Also approaching the 300 Metres, FREE NOVEMBER was checked away from the heels of EXCITABLE BOY which commenced to give ground abruptly. GREAT RUN, which was following, was shifted in away from the heels of FREE NOVEMBER in consequence. Over the concluding stages, HAY GO LUCKY was held up for clear running behind RUMINARE and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. Also over the concluding stages, NOBLE BUDDIES and HAMMER KING raced tight. A veterinary inspection of GLORY HORSIE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of EXCITABLE BOY immediately following the race confirmed the horse to have bled from both nostrils. RUMINARE, GREAT RUN and PEACE COMBINATION were sent for sampling.