14/05/2016  Shatin  Race 7

HORSE APLENTY was withdrawn on 13.5.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore right fore medial suspensory) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SURE PEACE (Y T Cheng). Before being allowed to race again, HORSE APLENTY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TERRIFIC MASTER was slow to begin. SURE PEACE began awkwardly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners. HAPPY CONTENDER and JUBILEE FUN bumped at the start. A short distance after the start, TURIN PEARL, which had been steadied to obtain cover, was awkwardly placed outside the heels of HAPPY SURVEYS which was taken out marginally by ULTIMATE GLORY. Despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages, both SEMPITERNAL and NORTHERN FALLS failed to muster early speed and consequently raced wide and without cover throughout the race. After the 1200 Metres, HIT THE BID got its head up when being steadied to obtain cover. Over the final 100 Metres, SURE PEACE was checked away from the heels of HIT THE BID when badly held up for clear running behind that horse and inside SEMPITERNAL. When held up for clear running, SURE PEACE shifted away from the heels of HIT THE BID and near the 50 Metres brushed the hindquarters of SEMPITERNAL which became badly unbalanced. Due to this incident, C K Tong, the rider of SEMPITERNAL, was obliged to stop riding over the concluding stages. FOODIE lost its left hind plate during the race. The performance of NORTHERN FALLS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. A veterinary inspection of NORTHERN FALLS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. Before being allowed to race again, NORTHERN FALLS 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 race, Y T Cheng (SURE PEACE) advised that at the entrance to the Straight he had to wipe his goggles in an attempt to improve his visibility. B Prebble stated that it was decided that HAPPY SURVEYS should be ridden in a forward position due to the condition of the track as it was felt that it would not be advantageous for the horse to race back in the field. He said however it was not intended for HAPPY SURVEYS to be ridden in the lead rather it was hoped that it would find a trailing position behind the speed. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY SURVEYS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TRAVEL FIRST and ULTIMATE GLORY were sent for sampling.