26/02/2017  Shatin  Race 5

THOR THE GREATEST, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 23.2.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore foot). Before being allowed to race again, THOR THE GREATEST will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Whilst in the saddling stalls, SUNSHINE UNIVERSE had both hind plates refitted. SUNSHINE UNIVERSE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. After being loaded into the barriers, SMART BOY became very fractious and attempted to break through under the front gates. After this, SMART BOY continued to be fractious and got its head under the front gates. SMART BOY was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary officer who said in his opinion it was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, SMART BOY was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, SMART BOY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WUSHU CHAMPION was slow to begin. DIAMOND DRAGON and GALLANT ROCK began awkwardly. TRAVEL SUCCESSOR stumbled at the start. SUNSHINE UNIVERSE was hampered on jumping by ROMAN ODYSSEY which shifted out. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, FISH N’ CHIPS failed to muster speed. After being crossed by MAGIC LEGEND approaching the 600 Metres, MULTIMAX (K C Ng) shifted in and brushed ROMAN ODYSSEY. After this, MULTIMAX got its head on the side and lay in and near the 550 Metres shifted out and bumped ROMAN ODYSSEY. MULTIMAX continued to lay in and passing the 400 Metres shifted in, resulting in ROMAN ODYSSEY being awkwardly placed close to the heels of MULTIMAX. ROMAN ODYSSEY was then shifted to the outside of MULTIMAX approaching the 300 Metres. K C Ng was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that MULTIMAX was proving difficult for him to ride at this time, nonetheless in similar circumstances he must make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. After this, MULTIMAX continued to lay in under pressure. When questioned regarding the performance of DR LISTENING, J Moreira stated that his mount was inclined to get its head up on a number of occasions when proceeding to the barriers. He said after being placed in the barriers DR LISTENING was restless and attempted to sit down and then when SMART BOY proved fractious in the barriers became even more restless. He said on jumping DR LISTENING began awkwardly and then, despite being ridden along in the early stages, did not stretch out. He said he shifted the horse across behind runners after the 900 Metres at the rear of the field to see if it would travel more kindly, however, despite being hard ridden, DR LISTENING would not respond and at the 700 Metres appeared reluctant to race. He added he continued to ride DR LISTENING along, however, at no stage did the horse travel comfortably and raced at the rear of the field throughout. He said when being eased down over the concluding stages when well out of contention DR LISTENING got its head up and was very unbalanced in its action. A veterinary inspection of DR LISTENING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of DR LISTENING was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DR LISTENING will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MAGIC LEGEND and MULTIMAX were sent for sampling.