22/04/2019  Shatin  Race 1

FAMILY LEADER was withdrawn on 21.4.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by first Standby Declared Starter FINE WITH ME (R Bayliss). RADIANT BUNNY was also withdrawn on 21.4.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter PERFECT TO PLAY (M F Poon). Before being allowed to race again, FAMILY LEADER and RADIANT BUNNY will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HAY RUN began awkwardly and lost ground. REEVE’S MUNTJAC shifted out at the start and bumped REMARKABLE. From wide barriers, REMARKABLE and FINE WITH ME were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1200 Metres, LITTLE ISLAND was awkwardly placed behind BRING IT ON and then after the 1200 Metres was left racing wide and without cover. For some distance in the middle stages, VERY LUCKY travelled keenly in the lead and would not relax. Near the 800 Metres, FINE WITH ME got its head up and became unbalanced when being steadied away from the heels of PERFECT TO PLAY. WHISKY KNIGHT made the turn near the 700 Metres awkwardly and shifted out towards the heels of GENERAL DINO. PERFECT TO PLAY, which was following, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WHISKY KNIGHT in consequence. Near the 600 Metres, CLEAR CHOICE and GENERAL DINO raced tight as CLEAR CHOICE shifted to the outside of VERY LUCKY. After the race, C Schofield reported that despite being vigorously ridden for a considerable distance in the early stages, GREAT TREASURE was reluctant to stretch out. Also after the race, R Bayliss said FINE WITH ME did not feel comfortable in its action and would not stretch out. The Veterinary Officer subsequently reported that FINE WITH ME was lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, FINE WITH ME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of REMARKABLE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, REMARKABLE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of HAY RUN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GENERAL DINO and CLEAR CHOICE were sent for sampling.