25/06/2017  Shatin  Race 1

KING OF SMARTS began awkwardly and shortly after the start was awkwardly placed outside the heels of VICTORY DUKE which shifted out. LE PEGASE and WINNINGLI bumped at the start. Shortly after the start, LE PEGASE was steadied away from the heels of INVISIBLE which shifted out. From a wide barrier, ACTUARIAT was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Making the turn passing the 900 Metres, WINNINGLI shifted in and bumped YOURTHEWONFORME. KWAICHUNG BROTHERS, which was following, was eased away from the heels of YOURTHEWONFORME in consequence. A short distance later, YOURTHEWONFORME was steadied away from the heels of TELECOM BOOM which was steadied away from the heels of FRIENDS FOREVER (C Murray) which shifted in when not quite clear. C Murray was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. VICTORY DUKE got its head on the side and lay out making the Home Turn. ACTUARIAT, WINNINGLI and THE FULL BLOOM had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 250 Metres, ACTUARIAT shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of HALL OF FAME which became unbalanced. Throughout the race, GREAT SPEED travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. The performance of GREAT SPEED, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GREAT SPEED will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the performance of LUCKY PLACE, J Moreira stated that after being fractious in the preliminary, LUCKY PLACE, which was wearing blinkers for the first time today, travelled keenly in the early and middle stages. He said when the tempo of the race increased, LUCKY PLACE was unable to sprint with the field and then was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY PLACE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY PLACE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of VICTORY DUKE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of VICTORY DUKE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, VICTORY DUKE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. LUCKY PLACE, THE FULL BLOOM and YOURTHEWONFORMRE were sent for sampling. <26/6/2017 Additional Veterinary Report>LUCKY PLACE, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. LUCKY PLACE was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer C W Chang this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. As previously advised, LUCKY PLACE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.