12/03/2017  Shatin  Race 2

At declaration time, H W Lai was declared as the rider of both REAL DEAL and GOLD TALENT. It was established that H W Lai had a firm commitment to ride REAL DEAL. As such, the Stewards permitted M L Yeung (subsequently K C Ng) to be substituted as the rider of GOLD TALENT. For this declaration error, H W Lai was fined $2,000. Whilst in the saddling stalls, REAL DEAL had its right hind plate refitted. REAL DEAL was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. BOSSIEE stood flat-footed at the start and lost a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, BOSSIEE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. AH BO and VITAL SPRING bumped heavily at the start, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. In this incident, AH BO shifted in when unbalanced and bumped TORNEY. PACKING STARCRAFT began awkwardly and shortly after the start was shifted across behind runners. Also from the outside barrier, ACTUARIAT was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1000 Metres, AH BO was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ENCHANTED FEELING which was also awkwardly placed close to the heels of VICTOR EMPEROR after attempting to improve inside that horse. Approaching the 800 Metres, PACKING STARCRAFT got its head up when travelling keenly and close to the heels of TORNEY. Near the 750 Metres, AH BO, which was laying out, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of REAL DEAL after being taken out by ACTUARIAT which got its head on the side and lay out. Approaching the 250 Metres, RICHCITY FORTUNE was shifted out from behind VITAL SPRING to obtain clear running. Throughout the race, GOLD TALENT travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of BOSSIEE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SHAMAL and VITAL SPRING were sent for sampling.