For those of you who got up early on Sunday to watch the live action from the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, I'm sure you would have been as disappointed as the Owners, trainer and myself with Rich Tapestry’s defeat, especially he was sent off as favourite in our simulcast pool in Hong Kong, as well as in the US. Having seen the horse in the paddock I can only say that Rich Tapestry looked magnificent and I can only compliment the trainer and his team for presenting Rich Tapestry in such a professional manner. After the race, Michael apologized for the defeat, but I don’t see any need for him, as a trainer, to offer an apology for the result because neither him, his staff, nor the jockey made any mistakes. Such disappointing results sometimes happen and are a part of horse racing.
In analysing Rich Tapestry’s disappointing performance, one can find multiple reasons. It ranges from a change in weather conditions, going from a hot climate to more pleasant conditions but significantly cooler nights which can lead to changes in the horse’s metabolism. It is also possible that the overnight rain changed the track conditions and created a significant kick back. Besides, the increase in field size led to a significant higher pressure on Rich Tapestry combined with a lightning quick pace in the early part of the race, which the horse never experienced before, and by missing the jump slightly he was put under pressure from the start. Last and not least the finding of the post-race vet scoping, which found a lot of dirt and a significant amount of blood in the trachea, which is similar to four occurrences in Rich Tapestry’s past veterinary record when running in Hong Kong.
Some will argue that Rich Tapestry should have run on and be permitted by the Jockey Club to have run with the "anti-bleeding drug" Lasix. I have to admit that calling Lasix an "anti-bleeding drug" is a rather misleading description of the characteristic of Lasix, or better named as Furosemide, and oversimplifies the effects and implications of using it.
Furosemide is a potent diuretic which is used to treat excessive fluid accumulation in humans. It increases urine production and urinary frequency and therefore leads to weight reductions in human beings, as well as in horses. To be most effective it should be given intramuscularly or intravenously four hours before the race.
However, it is a prohibited substance as listed by the World Anti-doping Agency for human athletes, as well as a prohibited substance as listed by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), which the majority of racing jurisdictions underwrite as a key principal of medication-free racing.
A number of scientific studies state that it reduces the plasma level and blood pressure in the lungs therefore reducing the risk of horses bleeding during exercise and racing. Other studies also state that the reduction in blood pressure is not sufficient in magnitude to prevent bleeding.
The performance enhancing effects of Furosemide are widely acknowledged, especially due to a weight reduction of the treated horses, and is reported to be most effective in sprint races. One of the other side effects of Furosemide is that it makes it more difficult for the Racing Labs to find other prohibited substances and so it could be used as a masked agent.
The Jockey Club had and has a clear position in not permitting the use of the prohibited substance Furosemide. This position is shared and has been endorsed on many occasions by the Asian Racing Federation and is shared by a clear majority of the Members of the IFHA. However it’s disappointing that currently in North America there is a lack of significant restrictions against the use of any raceday medications, especially Furosemide. I hope this scenario can be changed and I look forward to earning great support from most horsemen in North America in the foreseeable future.
There is also a small consolation that we might not have to leave California empty-handed, as in several discussions I had with connection of Breeders’ Cup runners they showed a keen interest to come to Hong Kong for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races next month. The connections of Flintshire, runner-up to Main Sequence in the Turf and earlier runner-up to Treve in the Arc de Triomphe, are interested to contest the Hong Kong Vase. After such strong performances in these two prestigious races, this four-year-old would be a great addition to our line-up if he comes to take the challenge.
There is a possibility that the Turf winner Main Sequence would come too but I am more optimistic about Flintshire as he did not enjoy the tight turns and short straight of Santa Anita’s turf course, but ended the race with a strong finish. Hopefully there will be good news coming from both camps in the near future.
Although we have not scheduled a midweek race meeting for tomorrow, you can check out the latest performances of some potential selectees for the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase in the G1 Melbourne Cup, which will be simulcast to Hong Kong at noon today. Three currently Hong Kong-based jockeys - Zac Purton, Gerald Mosse and Joao Moreira - will be taking part in this “race that stops a nation”, along with Andrea Atzeni who starts his riding stint in Hong Kong on Saturday week. Let’s see if they can be blessed by Lady Luck to claim this richest handicap race in the world.
The weather today is perfect for the Melbourne Cup and there is a lot of local interest with Gerald Mosse riding Ronald Arculli's Red Cadeaux, as well as Zac Purton and Joao Moreira riding top chances Admire Rakti and Signoff. Cavalryman and Sea Moon have both been withdrawn. But I am very interested in Protectionist, a lightly campaigned German stayer with good recent form. Ryan Moore will ride him for the first time today and this horse is an each way chance for me. Admire Rakti, the pride of Japan, is also a big chance as well as Lucia Valentina and Mutual Regard.
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