18/01/2017  Shatin  Race 1

BE THERE AHEAD was slow to begin. RISING POWER was checked on jumping when crowded for room between NOVEL START which shifted out after beginning awkwardly and LEAN JOURNEY which was taken in by PLANET GIANT which shifted in,. LUCKY FRIENDS was crowded for room on jumping between SIR JOHN which shifted out and AMBITIOUS SPEEDY which began awkwardly and shifted in. BORN DRAGON lost its left front plate shortly after the start. A short distance after the start, LUCKY SEBRING and SIR JOHN bumped. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, SNOWHOOVES failed to muster speed. Passing the 1000 Metres, LUCKY FRIENDS was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SIR JOHN. Making the turn after the 700 Metres, NOVEL START raced tight inside the heels of PLANET GIANT. At the 400 Metres, LUCKY SEBRING raced tight between AMBITIOUS SPEEDY and SIR JOHN which made the Home Turn awkwardly and shifted out. After the race, B Prebble advised that SIR JOHN, which gave ground noticeably in the Straight, did not feel comfortable in its action. A veterinary inspection of SIR JOHN immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front and right hind legs. Before being allowed to race again, SIR JOHN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Near the 50 Metres, SNOWHOOVES was eased away from the heels of NO LAUGHING MATTER which shifted in marginally under pressure. When questioned, S de Sousa (NOVEL START) stated that he had been asked to obtain cover behind the leaders if circumstances permitted. He said NOVEL START began very awkwardly and then became unbalanced after bumping with RISING POWER. He said as horses which were drawn more favourably had been able to show more speed in the early stages as a result of the manner in which NOVEL START began, he was obliged to race further back in the field than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of BE THERE AHEAD and SNOWHOOVES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BORN DRAGON and AMBITIOUS SPEEDY were sent for sampling. <19/1/2017 Additional Veterinary Report>BE THERE AHEAD, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. BE THERE AHEAD was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer L Ho this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front leg with a restricted action behind. Before being allowed to race again, BE THERE AHEAD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.