18/01/2017  Shatin  Race 5

TRILLION TREASURE was withdrawn on 16.1.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HAPPY JOURNEY. Before being allowed to race again, TRILLION TREASURE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FORTUNE BROTHERS blundered on jumping and then shortly after the start was bumped by GRADE ONE which shifted out. FORTUNE BROTHERS then shifted out away from GRADE ONE, resulting in STAR SUPERIOR losing ground when crowded for room inside CURLING LUXURY. CONFUCIUS SPIRIT and GENEROUS BOBO bumped heavily at the start, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. After initially being ridden along from the outside barrier, HAPPY JOURNEY was steadied shortly after the start and shifted across behind runners. After the 800 Metres, FORTUNE BROTHERS commenced to travel keenly. Making the first turn near the 700 Metres, STAR SUPERIOR got its head on the side and hung out across the heels of DRAGON WARRIOR, resulting in FORTUNE BROTHERS being hampered and taken out onto CONFUCIUS SPIRIT (D Whyte) which was severely checked and lost a significant amount of ground when crowded for room inside CURLING LUXURY. In this incident, DRAGON WARRIOR became unbalanced as STAR SUPERIOR shifted out across its heels. After the race, D Whyte said that due to the severe nature of the interference, he felt that CONFUCIUS SPIRIT may have suffered an injury and therefore he eased it down for the remainder of the race. A veterinary inspection of CONFUCIUS SPIRIT and DRAGON WARRIOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KIROV was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Approaching the 200 Metres, GRADE ONE shifted out, resulting in a run developing for a short distance for KIROV to improve between GRADE ONE and BOND ELEGANCE. As KIROV was attempting to establish running between those horses near the 150 Metres, GRADE ONE shifted back in marginally, resulting in KIROV racing in restricted room for some distance until being steadied over the concluding stages due to GRADE ONE and BOND ELEGANCE both shifting marginal ground. Because of this, KIROV was not able to be ridden out to the end of the race. As the Stewards were satisfied that KIROV did not properly establish running to the inside of GRADE ONE prior to that horse shifting in slightly, no further action was taken. Approaching the 50 Metres, HAPPY JOURNEY was shifted in away from the heels of KIROV to obtain clear running. Throughout the race, GENEROUS BOBO and GRADE ONE travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of HELEN’S CHOICE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DRAGON WARRIOR, BOND ELEGANCE and GRADE ONE were sent for sampling. <19/1/2017 Additional Veterinary Report>After the race, CONFUCIUS SPIRIT was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. CONFUCIUS SPIRIT was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer D E Ferraris this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right hind leg and have sustained a wound to the right front pastern. Before being allowed to race again, CONFUCIUS SPIRIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.