01/12/2019  Shatin  Race 2

CHATER THUNDER was withdrawn on 30.11.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (left fore suspensory injury). Before being allowed to race again, CHATER THUNDER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PEACE ON EARTH lost ground when crowded for room on jumping between MI BLANCO and NATURAL FLARE which was taken out by WINNING CIRCLE. In this incident, both MI BLANCO and NATURAL FLARE became unbalanced. ROCKAGE was slow to begin and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, KEEP WINNING was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WINNING CIRCLE when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse. In the early stages, THE FULL BLOOM was left racing very wide and without cover. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, MCMUNIGAL lost ground when crowded for room between KEEP WINNING which shifted out marginally when awkwardly placed close to the heels of WINNING CIRCLE and MR MAGELLAN which, after initially being directed in by THE FULL BLOOM (T H So), then shifted in away from that horse which was directed out to relieve the tightening to horses on his inside. T H So was advised that whilst there were some circumstances to this incident, nonetheless he did initially direct MR MAGELLAN in and accordingly, he was reprimanded and told to exercise more care in similar circumstances. After THE FULL BLOOM was shifted out to relieve the pressure to MR MAGELLAN, MASTER BERNINI shifted to the inside of THE FULL BLOOM. Then passing the 1400 Metres, MCMUNIGAL raced tight between MI BLANCO and MASTER BERNINI which, when improving to the inside of THE FULL BLOOM, raced tight inside that horse. THE FULL BLOOM was then left racing very wide and after the 1200 Metres was allowed to improve its position but continued to race wide and without cover. MR MAGELLAN travelled wide and without cover until near the 1100 Metres. After the 200 Metres, JOYFUL CONTENDER went amiss and was retired out of the race. The Veterinary Officer subsequently reported that JOYFUL CONTENDER had sustained an injury to the left front leg. After the race, R Bayliss expressed concern regarding the action of NATURAL FLARE. A veterinary inspection of NATURAL FLARE immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, NATURAL FLARE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding his riding of PEACE ON EARTH rounding the Home Turn, H W Lai stated that he commenced to ride his mount along after the 700 Metres to have it improve its position. He said PEACE ON EARTH was reluctant to improve at this stage and he felt that the horse may have been resenting the kickback. He said he continued to push his mount along rounding the Home Turn and at the 400 Metres commenced to shift to the outside of MCMUNIGAL to improve its position. He said as he was commencing to improve to that horse’s outside, MCMUNIGAL shifted out under pressure, resulting in PEACE ON EARTH being awkwardly placed outside the heels of MCMUNIGAL. H W Lai was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he must ensure that he makes every endeavour to have his mounts improve their position at vital stages of the race. MR MAGELLAN, MEGATRON and MASTER BERNINI were sent for sampling. <2/12/2019 Additional Veterinary Report>NATURAL FLARE, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time the horse was lame in its right front leg. NATURAL FLARE was again examined by the Veterinary Surgeon at the stables of Trainer K L Man this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to have sustained an injury to the right front tendon. As previously advised, NATURAL FLARE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.