03/09/2017  Shatin  Race 10

FANTASTIC KAKA was withdrawn on 31.8.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (stiff and restricted action). Before being allowed to race again, FANTASTIC KAKA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Trainer R Gibson was fined the sum of $3,000 for presenting CLUB LIFE in the Parade Ring with incorrectly fitted gear. G-ONE LOVER shifted out on jumping and bumped QUICK RETURN. CLUB LIFE began awkwardly. From the outside barriers, RATTAN and HOME RUN were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. WINNING FAITH was badly held up for clear running until passing the 200 Metres. Throughout the race, GO BEAUTY GO travelled wide and without cover. The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by K Teetan, the rider of GORGEOUS KING, which finished 3rd, against REGENCY BO BO (Z Purton), the second placegetter, alleging interference to his mount approaching the 200 Metres. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, it was found that when attempting to improve between RATTAN and REGENCY BO BO, GORGEOUS KING was checked approaching the 200 Metres due to REGENCY BO BO shifting out after being corrected after initially shifting in under pressure. Having regard to the amount of ground lost by GORGEOUS KING in this incident, the manner in which the two horses finished off their race and also the one and a quarter length margin which separated both horses, the Stewards could not be satisfied that had the interference not occurred GORGEOUS KING would have finished in front of REGENCY BO BO. Accordingly, the protest/objection was overruled and weighed-in was declared on the numbers notified by the Judge. At a subsequent inquiry, Z Purton was advised whilst the Stewards accepted that REGENCY BO BO had over-reacted to being shifted out after initially shifting in towards CLUB LIFE, nonetheless in similar circumstances he must make every effort to keep his mount on a straight course. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CALCULATION, J Moreira stated that his mount was very stirred up behind the barriers. He said it had been intended to lead if possible as the horse was successful when ridden in this manner last season, however, after being ridden along in the early stages, due to a number of horses also being vigorously ridden to obtain forward positions, he elected to take a trailing position rather than make too much use of CALCULATION in the early stages with top weight. He said CALCULATION travelled well behind the speed, however, when placed under pressure in the early part of the Straight did not quicken as he expected it would and, despite being ridden out, was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race. He added he was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of the horse other than the fact that, as instanced, the horse sweated up behind the barriers and was not able to be ridden in the same manner it was when previously successful. A veterinary inspection of CALCULATION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of CALCULATION was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CALCULATION will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of G-ONE LOVER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CALCULATION, RATTAN and REGENCY BO BO were sent for sampling.