06/02/2016  Shatin  Race 10

CHEEKY TOO was withdrawn on 4.2.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (blood abnormality) and was replaced by first Standby Declared Starter GOAL FOR GOLD. VICTORY DAY was also withdrawn on 4.2.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore foot) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter CITRON SPIRIT. Before being allowed to race again, CHEEKY TOO and VICTORY DAY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CITRON SPIRIT lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and lost ground. A short distance after the start, WINNIE'S HORSE was crowded for room between RHODE ASSASSIN and MERION which was taken out by AMBER DRAGON which was in turn taken out by VICTORIUS which shifted out after being bumped by FULL TALENT. After this, WINNIE'S HORSE was shifted across behind runners. Also from a wide barrier, BIG FOUR was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, AMBER DRAGON was bumped and taken wider by SO FAST which shifted out away from the heels of SPICY SURE after being crossed by that horse. Near the 500 Metres, BIG FOUR got its head up and lost ground when being checked away from the heels of MERION. In this incident, BIG FOUR shifted out towards the heels of CITRON SPIRIT which was racing to that horse's outside. After this, BIG FOUR was steadied when unable to improve between CITRON SPIRIT and MERION which shifted out. After the 300 Metres, BIG FOUR was awkwardly placed behind SIMPLY INVINCIBLE. Passing the 150 Metres, BIG FOUR was shifted to the outside of SIMPLY INVINCIBLE which was shifted to the inside of FULL TALENT in an attempt to obtain clear running. SIMPLY INVINCIBLE was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of FULL TALENT approaching and passing the 100 Metres. The performance of RHODE ASSASSIN, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, RHODE ASSASSIN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of RHODE ASSASSIN and SPICY SURE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TRAVEL FIRST, UNIVERSAL UNION and MERION were sent for sampling.