07/05/2016  Shatin  Race 10

GRAND HARBOUR began awkwardly and blundered. GOLD DRAGON was slow to begin. From an outside barrier, RAZOR QUEST was steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. LUCKY GUY lost its right hind plate near the 1400 Metres. Approaching the 200 Metres, LUCKY GUY raced in restricted room between ATHENA BABY which shifted in marginally under pressure and RED DANCER which was attempting to improve to the outside of LEADING HORSE which was also shifting marginal ground. Near the 150 Metres, LUCKY GUY was then steadied away from the heels of RED DANCER (M L Yeung) which shifted out when placed under full pressure. M L Yeung was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst the initial movement from ATHENA BABY and LEADING HORSE had some influence on the incident, he should have resisted pulling the whip until he had properly cleared LUCKY GUY. WINNAM was held up for clear running for a short distance passing the 200 Metres. Over the concluding stages, LEADING HORSE shifted out under pressure and brushed RED DANCER. When questioned, Y T Cheng stated that as GLENEALY PRIZE was stepping up to 1600 Metres for the first time and due to the horse’s outside barrier, he was instructed to take the horse back at the start and find cover. He said after being steadied to the rear of the field, GLENEALY PRIZE immediately dropped the bit and then refused to stretch out at any stage despite his urging. He added he did not test the horse over the latter stages as it was out of contention and he feared that there may have been something amiss with GLENEALY PRIZE. A veterinary inspection of GLENEALY PRIZE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of GLENEALY PRIZE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GLENEALY PRIZE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, Z Purton stated that, from an outside barrier, he had been asked not to bustle CLASSIC EMPEROR in the early stages but to allow the horse to settle where it was comfortable, anticipating that this would be near midfield. He said near the 1300 Metres he shifted in to obtain cover behind ATHENA BABY, however, when that horse subsequently shifted in to a two wide position, CLASSIC EMPEROR was left racing wide and without cover. He said near the 1100 Metres CLASSIC EMPEROR was bumped by RUBY COAST which shifted out and from this point onwards the horse did not travel comfortably and proved disappointing. A veterinary inspection of CLASSIC EMPEROR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of RUBY COAST immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The Stewards intend to interview C Y Ho and Trainer K L Man regarding the disappointing performance of RUBY COAST, a last start winner, prior to the races on Wednesday, 11 May 2016. A veterinary inspection of GOLD DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ATHENA BABY, RED DANCER and LEADING HORSE were sent for sampling.