28/02/2018  Shatin  Race 2

ELITE BOY and FIRST BEAUT bumped at the start. ELITE BOY then shifted in, resulting in SILLY BUDDIES, which began awkwardly, being hampered when crowded for room. RESPECT and BOND ELEGANCE bumped at the start. Then despite being ridden along in the early stages, RESPECT failed to muster speed and subsequently travelled wide and without cover for the majority of the race. Shortly after the start, LUCKY BLESSINGS shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of FLYING GODSPELL which was being ridden along in an attempt to obtain a forward position. After this, despite being ridden along, FLYING GODSPELL failed to muster speed. LUCKY BLESSINGS was then shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. When questioned, K Teetan stated that shortly after the start he commenced to have concerns regarding the action of SILLY BUDDIES. He said irrespective, he rode his mount along in the early stages to see if it would travel more comfortably, however, after the 1100 Metres as SILLY BUDDIES’ action was deteriorating, he commenced to ease the horse down in an attempt to establish if it had gone amiss or bled. He said when he did this SILLY BUDDIES’ action immediately commenced to feel more fluent and for this reason he recommenced riding his mount along after the 800 Metres. He added however that SILLY BUDDIES’ action did not improve and because of this he again eased the horse down in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of SILLY BUDDIES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. As this was not the first time that a rider had expressed concern regarding the action of SILLY BUDDIES in a race, the Stewards ruled that prior to being permitted to race again, that horse must undergo a series of satisfactory consecutive barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Throughout the race, BOND ELEGANCE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of HEARTS KEEPER rounding the Home Turn, Apprentice H T Mo stated that in the lead up to the Home Turn he was racing directly behind FLYING GODSPELL which passing the 600 Metres was being hard ridden. He said as he was aware that that horse was being shifted out in an attempt to improve around runners when under heavy pressure, he believed that an opportunity was available for HEARTS KEEPER to improve to the inside of FLYING GODSPELL rather than shifting to that horse’s outside and being taken unnecessarily wide rounding the Home Turn by FLYING GODSPELL should that horse continue to shift out when under pressure. He said after shifting HEARTS KEEPER to the inside of FLYING GODSPELL for a short distance approaching the 400 Metres, he then elected not to continue pursuing a run inside FLYING GODSPELL and directed his mount back to the outside of FLYING GODSPELL to obtain clear running. He added he felt that this was a better option given that GRACYDAD, which was racing ahead and inside of FLYING GODSPELL, was already under heavy pressure and he was concerned that he may not have obtained clear running if he continued to pursue the run to the inside of FLYING GODSPELL. He said after directing HEARTS KEEPER to the outside of FLYING GODSPELL, HEARTS KEEPER then closed off the race strongly. Apprentice Mo was informed that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he had erred in attempting to pursue a run to the inside of FLYING GODSPELL when at all times there was clear and unimpeded running to the outside of that horse. He was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner so that they are able to obtain clear running at the earliest available opportunity. A veterinary inspection of GRACYDAD and RESPECT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ELITE BOY, TRAVEL EMPEROR and HEARTS KEEPER were sent for sampling. <1/3/2018 Additional Veterinary Report>GRACYDAD, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. GRACYDAD was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer D J Hall this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, GRACYDAD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.