16/04/2016  Shatin  Race 7

BRIGHT CONCEPT was withdrawn on 15.4.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left front foot) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter LUCKY FRIENDS (C K Tong). Before being allowed to race again, BRIGHT CONCEPT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FIGHTING BOY stood flat-footed at the start and lost a considerable amount of ground. Having regard to FIGHTING BOY's previous history of having been slow to begin, the Stewards ruled that the horse will be required to perform satisfactorily in a series of consecutive barrier trials before being permitted to race again. Shortly after the start, ROCK THE TREE was bumped by FORTUNE GIGGLES which shifted out after being bumped by CHANCELLOR. Near the 1600 Metres, LUCKY FRIENDS became unbalanced after being bumped by SUPER SILKS. After this, LUCKY FRIENDS commenced to travel keenly and for some distance after the 1400 Metres got its head up when proving difficult to settle and being checked away from the heels of IMPERIAL GALLANTRY. CASH COURIER, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of LUCKY FRIENDS in consequence and lost ground, resulting in FORTUNE GIGGLES being hampered. The performance of LUCKY FRIENDS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY FRIENDS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the 1300 Metres, FIGHTING BOY commenced to prove very difficult to settle, got its head up and shifted out when being checked away from the heels of ROCK THE TREE. After the 1200 Metres, FLYING MACHINE was left racing wide and without cover. FLYING MACHINE lost its left hind plate approaching the 800 Metres. Approaching the 500 Metres, CASH COURIER was checked away from the heels of LUCKY FRIENDS. Passing the 400 Metres, ROCK THE TREE raced tight inside AUTUMN GOLD which shifted in away from the heels of HO HO FEEL. After the 400 Metres, FORTUNE GIGGLES was initially reluctant to shift to the outside of the heels of CHANCELLOR. When FORTUNE GIGGLES was able to shift out near the 350 Metres, FIGHTING BOY, which was following, was directed in away from the heels of that horse in consequence. When questioned, N Callan stated that due to the lack of anticipated pace in this race, he had been asked to try and take advantage of this situation by riding IMPERIAL GALLANTRY in a forward position and lead if possible. He explained that IMPERIAL GALLANTRY sweated up badly behind the barriers. He further stated that he had to ride IMPERIAL GALLANTRY along in the early stages as it was initially reluctant to go forward. He said after crossing to the lead passing the 1400 Metres, IMPERIAL GALLANTRY was inclined to lay away from the inside rail and then in the Straight hung in under pressure and became unbalanced near the 400 Metres after shifting in towards the running rail of its own accord. A veterinary inspection of CHANCELLOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ROUGE ET BLANC and LOTUS STRIKES BACK were sent for sampling.