23/10/2016  Shatin  Race 1

DYNAMIC VOYAGE was withdrawn on 22.10.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter GOLDEN GUNNERS (Apprentice K K Chiong). Before being allowed to race again, DYNAMIC VOYAGE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SLEDGE HAMMER began only fairly. Shortly after the start, INTELLECTUAL GLIDE was steadied and shifted across behind runners. Also shortly after the start, PARENTAL SPIRIT shifted in and bumped STARRY STARLIES. Despite being vigorously ridden in the early stages, PLANET GIANT failed to muster speed and then was checked shortly after the start. Apprentice H T Mo (ORIENTAL FANTASIA) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of PLANET GIANT, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. Apprentice Mo was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Saturday, 12 November 2016 and to expire on Monday, 21 November 2016 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). During this period, there are two racemeetings scheduled to be conducted at Sha Tin Racecourse. After attempting to improve between MIGHTY GAINS and GOLDEN GUNNERS where there was insufficient room for some distance in the early part of the Straight, STARRY STARLIES was steadied and shifted to the inside of MIGHTY GAINS when unable to improve. Throughout the race, MIGHTY GAINS, GOLDEN GUNNERS and ORIENTAL FANTASIA travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of FLYING CAPTAIN, O Doleuze stated that with MIGHTY GAINS racing to the outside of FLYING CAPTAIN in the early and middle stages, FLYING CAPTAIN did not relax and then, making the turn after the 700 Metres, got its head on the side and lay out. He said FLYING CAPTAIN had trialed on two occasions in the lead up to today's race and on the most recent occasion it trialed without blinkers. He said having in mind the manner in which FLYING CAPTAIN travelled keenly today, he did suggest to connections that they consider removing the blinkers from FLYING CAPTAIN in its future starts to see whether it will relax better in its races. A veterinary inspection of FLYING CAPTAIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that ORIENTAL FANTASIA had sustained a wound to the inside of the right hind cannon. A veterinary inspection of PLANET GIANT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GOLDEN GUNNERS immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. FLYING CAPTAIN, MIGHTY GAINS, CONSISTENT and SLEDGE HAMMER were sent for sampling.