12/03/2017  Shatin  Race 8

CALIFORNIA JOY was withdrawn on 11.3.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore and mucus on scoping). Before being allowed to race again, CALIFORNIA JOY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FRIENDS OF KA YING shifted out at the start and bumped SPEEDY LONGWAH. Shortly after the start, PACKING LLAREGYB and BIG BANG BONG bumped. From the outside barrier, BERLINI was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, PEOPLE’S KNIGHT got its head on the side and lay out. Approaching the 600 Metres, SKY KING raced in restricted room inside BIG BANG BONG. Passing the 300 Metres, PACKING LLAREGYB was steadied when unable to improve between HIT THE BID and TRAVEL FIRST. PACKING LLAREGYB was then held up for clear running and passing the 200 Metres after initially being angled to shift to the outside of TRAVEL FIRST was then directed back in to improve between that horse and HIT THE BID as clear running became available between those horses. This resulted in PACKING LLAREGYB being unable to be tested until after the 200 Metres. For some distance after the 300 Metres, APOLLO’S CHOICE raced in restricted room when improving into tight running between FLYING MOOCHI and HIT THE BID. Near the 250 Metres, FRIENDS OF KA YING shifted out and brushed PABLOSKY which became unbalanced. SKY KING was unable to obtain clear running until over the concluding stages and consequently was not able to be properly tested. For the majority of the race, PABLOSKY travelled wide and without cover. After passing the winning post, Apprentice H T Mo dismounted from FLYING MOOCHI. The Veterinary Officer subsequently reported that FLYING MOOCHI was lame in the right front leg as a result of a right front tendon injury. Before being allowed to race again, FLYING MOOCHI will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, N Rawiller (SPEEDY LONGWAH) stated that it had been anticipated that the race would be run at a good tempo, however, it was felt that the horse had sufficient speed to be able to take up a position just behind the leaders. He said just prior to the start being effected SPEEDY LONGWAH became fractious and lunged at the front gates. He said he felt that the horse’s behaviour in the barriers may have affected its performance as SPEEDY LONGWAH did not show the early speed which was anticipated and then did not travel well at any stage of the race which resulted in it racing much further back in the field than had been intended. He added he rode the horse in a barrier trial in the lead up to today’s race and the horse had travelled strongly which was not the case in today’s race. He said passing the 900 Metres he had concerns regarding the manner in which SPEEDY LONGWAH was travelling and looked down to establish whether the horse may have bled. He said when this was not the case, he continued to ride SPEEDY LONGWAH, however, the horse did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of SPEEDY LONGWAH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of PABLOSKY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of SKY KING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SKY KING, PEOPLE’S KNIGHT and FRIENDS OF KA YING were sent for sampling.