07/05/2016  Shatin  Race 4

On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie applied to IMPERIAL GALLANTRY was refitted. From wide barriers, FLYING MACHINE, ENTRUSTING, DUAL HAPPY and AUTUMN GOLD were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. At the 1100 Metres, HOLMES LEGEND was left racing wide and without cover. When being steadied away from the heels of FORTUNE GIGGLES, HAPPY AGILITY shifted out on the first turn after the 900 Metres, resulting in HOLMES LEGEND being forced wider. Passing the 500 Metres, IMPERIAL GALLANTRY was hampered and became unbalanced when taken out by HAPPY AGILITY which shifted out around the heels of HOLMES LEGEND to improve. FLYING MACHINE lost its left front plate after the race. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that in accordance with his instructions he had HAPPY AGILITY placed slightly in advance of midfield in a position one off the rail. He said after shifting to the outside of runners at the entrance to the Straight, HAPPY AGILITY initially responded reasonably and commenced to make ground, however, after passing the 200 Metres the horse came under heavy pressure and then weakened over the concluding stages. He added following the race he advised connections that he felt the 1800 Metres of today's race was too far for the horse and recommended that they revert to racing over shorter distances. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY AGILITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, D Whyte stated that after being afforded a nice run trailing the leader SMART UNION, SUPER SILKS came under pressure prior to the Home Turn and then gave ground abruptly early in the Straight before tailing off. He said as he was concerned that there may have been something amiss with SUPER SILKS and as the horse dropped out of contention, he did not test it in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of SUPER SILKS immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. The performance of SUPER SILKS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUPER SILKS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ENTRUSTING, HOLMES LEGEND and FORTUNE GIGGLES were sent for sampling.