04/11/2018  Shatin  Race 3

THE INVINCIBLE was withdrawn on 3.11.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter DUTCH WINDMILL (C Schofield). Before being allowed to race again, THE INVINCIBLE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BONITO was slow to begin. MEGA TREASURE shifted out abruptly at the start and made heavy contact with TRIUMPHAL WIN which became unbalanced and was taken out onto XIANG HUANG QI which also became unbalanced. For a short distance after this, XIANG HUANG QI raced tight between TRIUMPHAL WIN and KWAICHUNG BROTHERS. From wide barriers, DUTCH WINDMILL and TOP ACE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1500 Metres, XIANG HUANG QI was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BONITO when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse. BEST EFFORT was unable to obtain clear running until near the 300 Metres. In the early part of the Straight, FAIR COMMENT and CHIU CHOW KID raced tight as CHIU CHOW KID shifted out to obtain clear running. Near the 150 Metres, TRIUMPHAL WIN shifted in and was steadied away from the heels of BONITO. Throughout the race, TRIUMPHAL WIN travelled wide and without cover. After the race, C Murray reported that TOP ACE did not travel well at any stage of the race and appeared to him to race "flat”. A veterinary inspection of TOP ACE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea and a permanently displaced soft palate. Before being allowed to race again, TOP ACE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, D Whyte was unable to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of TRIUMPHANT LIGHT. He said TRIUMPHANT LIGHT enjoyed a good run up on the speed, however, came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and then was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of TRIUMPHANT LIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that FAIR COMMENT had bled from both nostrils and that XIANG HUANG QI had sustained a wound to the back of the right knee which required treatment. A veterinary inspection of MEGA TREASURE immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, MEGA TREASURE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. INDIGENOUS STAR, CHIU CHOW KID and BEST EFFORT were sent for sampling.