16/06/2019  Shatin  Race 8

After being loaded, HAPPY FAMILY reared and got its right front leg over the front gate and then over the side partition. HAPPY FAMILY was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, HAPPY FAMILY was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Having regard to HAPPY FAMILY’s history of barrier issues, the Stewards ruled that the horse must be required to perform satisfactorily in a series of consecutive barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. TRIUMPHANT ARCH shifted in abruptly at the start and made heavy contact with LAKESHORE EAGLE which in turn made contact with HIGHLAND FORTUNE. This resulted in LAKESHORE EAGLE and HIGHLAND FORTUNE becoming unbalanced and losing ground at the start. From wide barriers, AEROHAPPINESS and BEAR AGAIN were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. BEAR AGAIN made the first turn awkwardly and shifted out away from the heels of SOLOMON’S BAY. Approaching the 900 Metres, SPACE was steadied away from the heels of LOCKHEED (Z Purton) which shifted in when not quite clear. Z Purton was reminded of his obligation to provide sufficient clearance when shifting ground. After this incident, SPACE was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 800 Metres, AEROHAPPINESS commenced to travel keenly and was very awkwardly placed near the heels of HIGHLAND FORTUNE. Passing the 400 Metres, AEROHAPPINESS lay in momentarily and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of TRIUMPHANT ARCH. Approaching the 300 Metres, when attempting a tight run between HELLO BEAUTY and SPACE, HIGHLAND FORTUNE was steadied due to both horses shifting ground. In this incident, HIGHLAND FORTUNE made contact with the hindquarters of SPACE which became unbalanced. At the 250 Metres, LAKESHORE EAGLE was shifted to the inside of ALCARI to obtain clear running. Approaching the 50 Metres, LAKESHORE EAGLE then momentarily raced tight inside DREAM COME TRUE (A Domeyer) which shifted in marginally under pressure. A Domeyer was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Over the final 100 Metres, AEROHAPPINESS lay out under pressure. A veterinary inspection of LOCKHEED immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm and an endoscopic examination also showed a substantial amount of blood in its trachea. Before being allowed to race again, LOCKHEED will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, C Y Ho stated that it was intended for HIGHLAND FORTUNE to race in a handy position, however, the horse settled back in the field due to being crowded at the start. He said after being checked when disappointed for a run in the Straight, HIGHLAND FORTUNE did not seem to recover and was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to close off the race. He said, in his view, the interference sustained by HIGHLAND FORTUNE, being an inexperienced three year old, was the primary reason for the horse’s disappointing effort in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of HIGHLAND FORTUNE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HIGHLAND FORTUNE, LAKESHORE EAGLE and AEROHAPPINESS were sent for sampling. <17/6/2019 Additional Veterinary Report>The Veterinary Surgeon reported that ALCARI was lame in its left hind leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, ALCARI will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.