08/01/2017  Shatin  Race 6

HAPPY CHEERS, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 5.1.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (gait abnormality/poor action). SUNNY WAY was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (fever). Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY CHEERS and SUNNY WAY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HINYUEN SWIFTNESS and DIGITAL GENERATION began only fairly. TANG FLEMING shifted in at the start and bumped CARE FREE PRINCE. ENORMOUS HONOUR, which began only fairly, shifted out on jumping and bumped ELUSIVE STATE. After this, despite being ridden along, ENORMOUS HONOUR failed to muster speed. From a wide barrier, GOOD CHOI LEE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. AMBITIOUS PINS was also steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. After the 1000 Metres, ELUSIVE STATE shifted out towards the heels of TOP SCORE. GOOD CHOI LEE, which was following ELUSIVE STATE and racing keenly, shifted out abruptly away from the heels of that horse, resulting in ENORMOUS HONOUR being hampered and taken wider. ENORMOUS HONOUR was again awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOOD CHOI LEE after the 900 Metres. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, GOOD CHOI LEE got its head on the side and lay out when racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 350 Metres, TANG FLEMING was shifted out away from the heels of CARE FREE PRINCE after being held up for clear running behind that horse. CARE FREE PRINCE itself was held up for clear running until near the 300 Metres. Approaching the 200 Metres, THE JAZZ was bumped by TANG FLEMING which shifted out away from the heels of BIG BANG BONG (J Moreira) which shifted out under pressure. In this incident, TOP SCORE, which was racing outside THE JAZZ, was shifted out away from that horse. J Moreira was advised to exercise more care. After the race, Z Purton was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of TOP SCORE. He said TOP SCORE travelled satisfactorily throughout the early and middle stages, however, did not close off the race as anticipated. A veterinary inspection of TOP SCORE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of WAH MAY BABY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CARE FREE PRINCE, BIG BANG BONG and TANG FLEMING were sent for sampling. <9/1/2016 Additional Veterinary Report>TOP SCORE, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. TOP SCORE was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer P O’Sullivan this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, TOP SCORE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.