15/07/2018  Shatin  Race 10

SWEET LEADER was withdrawn on 14.7.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter KEY WITNESS (D Whyte). Before being allowed to race again, SWEET LEADER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ALCARI began only fairly and on jumping shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of KEY WITNESS, causing both horses to become unbalanced. ALL GREAT FRIENDS and BIG FORTUNE bumped at the start. ALL GREAT FRIENDS was then hampered shortly after jumping by LUCKY DOLLAR which got its head on the side and shifted out. After this, despite being vigorously ridden along for a considerable distance, ALL GREAT FRIENDS failed to muster speed. MASTER ALBERT began awkwardly and from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Also from a wide barrier, LUCKY GUY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 950 Metres, ALL GREAT FRIENDS raced tight inside BIG FORTUNE which got its head on the side and shifted in. Passing the 200 Metres, BIG FORTUNE was steadied away from the heels of GOOD BEAUTY (C Schofield) which shifted out when not properly clear. C Schofield was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground. Also passing the 200 Metres, GAMECHANGERS was awkwardly placed inside the heels of MIGHTY MAVERICK which got its head on the side and lay in marginally. Throughout the race, MY POWER travelled very wide and without cover. When questioned, H N Wong stated that rounding the Home Turn he shifted ALL GREAT FRIENDS to the outside of BIG FORTUNE in order to follow GAMECHANGERS into the race. He said at this time MY POWER which was racing to the outside of GAMECHANGERS had raced wide and without cover throughout the race and therefore he felt that there might be an opportunity for ALL GREAT FRIENDS to shift to the outside of GAMECHANGERS and obtain clear running. He said after improving to the outside of BIG FORTUNE, he was held up for clear running approaching and passing the 300 Metres as BIG FORTUNE, GAMECHANGERS and MY POWER maintained their position around and in front of ALL GREAT FRIENDS. He said when unable to obtain clear running, he shifted ALL GREAT FRIENDS to the inside of BIG FORTUNE after the 300 Metres and then had to shift in further due to GOOD BEAUTY shifting out. H N Wong was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, was told to ensure that he makes every endeavour to obtain clear running at the earliest available opportunity. After the race, Z Purton (LUCKY DOLLAR) reported that his mount, after travelling in a forward position, gave ground noticeably in the Straight and when giving ground made an abnormal breathing noise. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY DOLLAR immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination found that horse to be a "roarer”. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY DOLLAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MASTER ALBERT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUPERICH and NOBLE STEED were sent for sampling.