Racing News  

"SPALATO" INQUIRY

10/12/2014

At the Sha Tin race meeting conducted on Sunday, 23 November 2014, the Stewards interviewed Mr J O’Hara, trainer of SPALATO, regarding a report made following the race that the horse had briefly exhibited a restricted action in its right hind leg in the stable prior to being presented to race in The BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint (Group 2) that day.  SPALATO finished 13th in this race.

Whilst a veterinary inspection of SPALATO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, a subsequent veterinary examination of SPALATO on the next morning (Monday, 24 November 2014) found the horse to be lame in the right hind leg.

When questioned by the Stewards on 23 November 2014 into the aforementioned report, Mr O’Hara stated that when the stable assistant attempted to clean SPALATO’s right hind foot in the quarantine stables prior to being transported to the track to race the horse walked a bit funny, but after massaging it, he walked out and trotted up good and that he sort of walked a bit funny and after walking him for a bit, you know, he sort of loosened up.

Subsequent to the Inquiry being adjourned, the Stewards and Dr Peter Curl, Executive Manager, Veterinary Regulation, have viewed the CCTV footage from the quarantine barn in which SPALATO was stabled at the relevant time.  The footage showed that after being removed from its stable box to be prepared for racing SPALATO appeared to walk acceptably, however after the stable assistant cleaned SPALATO’s right hind foot the horse appeared to be reluctant to put full weight on its right hind leg and also appeared to demonstrate that SPALATO was initially reluctant to allow stable staff to approach and handle its right hind leg.  The CCTV footage then showed Mr O’Hara massaging the horse’s right hind limb with both hands for a period of time after which SPALATO appeared to be relatively free in its action immediately prior to the horse being transported to the racecourse.

As was the case with every horse which raced that day, SPALATO was routinely under the inspection of Veterinary Officials in the Parade Ring and behind the barrier.  There were no adverse veterinary reports made to the Racing Stewards prior to the relevant race in respect of SPALATO’s action or gait.

Having in mind that SPALATO is entered to race in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (Group 1) at Sha Tin on Sunday, 14 December 2014, the Stewards today directed Dr Curl to conduct a thorough examination of the horse to determine its suitability to be declared tomorrow morning for its intended race on Sunday.  Dr Curl has advised that after examining SPALATO today and after reviewing the veterinary records relative to the horse since 23 November 2014, he found the horse to be satisfactory in its action and to be showing no signs of any right hind discomfort.  It should be noted that SPALATO successfully undertook its Official Veterinary Examination on Saturday, 6 December 2014 and is therefore clear of any embargo which would prevent the horse from being declared tomorrow morning for the stated race.

In accordance with established practice, SPALATO will again be examined by Veterinary Officers on Saturday, 13 December 2014, at which time the horse will undergo a routine Pre-Race Veterinary Examination.  The Stewards will issue a release following this examination if anything of significance is noted by the Veterinary Officers at this time.

The Inquiry which was commenced on Sunday, 23 November 2014 will resume at the Happy Valley Inquiry Room on Monday, 15 December 2014 at 10:00 am.

 

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