25/03/2018  Shatin  Race 1

WORLD CITY was withdrawn on 24.3.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter FORTUNE BROTHERS (K C Ng). Before being allowed to race again, WORLD CITY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. RUGBY DIAMOND began awkwardly and lost ground and then, despite being ridden along, was unable to muster speed to obtain a forward position. TELECOM TITAN was slow to begin. Despite being aggressively ridden in the early stages, HAPPY SOUND failed to muster speed and as a consequence raced back in the field. CARRY TO WIN was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Despite being ridden along from a wide barrier, WINNING CONTROLLER failed to muster speed in the early stages. For some distance after the 1100 Metres, HAPPY SOUND was awkwardly placed behind GOLD TALENT. Approaching the 800 Metres, GOLD TALENT commenced to lose its position despite being ridden along. HAPPY SOUND, which was following GOLD TALENT, was awkwardly placed behind that horse in consequence and passing the 800 Metres shifted out away from the heels of GOLD TALENT which continued to give ground. When shifting to the outside of GOLD TALENT, HAPPY SOUND bumped WINNING CONTROLLER. After this, WINNING CONTROLLER and HAPPY SOUND raced tight as HAPPY SOUND continued to be awkwardly placed outside the heels of GOLD TALENT which continued to lose ground despite being ridden along. Passing the 800 Metres, WINNINGLI and TRENDIFUL bumped as WINNINGLI shifted in and TRENDIFUL shifted out marginally to avoid the heels of FORTUNE BROTHERS which at this time was commencing to shift away from the rail after being crossed by EVER STRONG. For the majority of the race, MASSIVE MILLENNIUM travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of C Y Ho (TELECOM TITAN), 5th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse’s finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels all the way to the end of the race where circumstances permit. When questioned regarding the performance of FIVE STARS AGENT, O Doleuze stated that having in mind how the horse raced today, he was of the opinion that FIVE STARS AGENT may be better positioned outside of runners in races over 1200 Metres. He said last start over the course and distance the horse travelled wide and without cover for the majority of the race, yet it was still able to be successful. He said in today’s race, having drawn barrier 2, FIVE STARS AGENT was amongst runners in the early and middle stages. He said he tried to remain racing away from the rail in the early stages, however, when racing inside GOLD TALENT, was taken to the rail when that horse shifted in near the 1000 Metres. He added FIVE STARS AGENT did not travel well when forced to race amongst runners and then was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of FIVE STARS AGENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, N Callan (HAPPY SOUND) stated that after being required to race further back in the field due to not beginning well, HAPPY SOUND did not travel well in the middle stages when awkwardly placed amongst runners. He said HAPPY SOUND came under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn and then, despite being ridden along in the early part of the Straight, did not respond and was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY SOUND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MASSIVE MILLENNIUM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FIVE STARS AGENT, EVER STRONG and CARRY TO WIN were sent for sampling. <26/3/2018 Additional Veterinary Report>MASSIVE MILLENNIUM, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. MASSIVE MILLENNIUM was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer D E Ferraris 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, MASSIVE MILLENNIUM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.