Andy Leung Ting-wah's My Heart was withdrawn yesterday from the Kwangtung Handicap Cup, tomorrow's feature race at Sha Tin, but only after protracted wrangling with stipendiary stewards. And the matter could have further ramifications after the Club warned it may review the rules regarding withdrawals in the event of similar cases.
Leung was finally allowed to withdraw My Heart on veterinary grounds, but he was told the horse could not race again until October 1 and would need veterinary clearance and a satisfactory barrier trial performance at that time.
The stewards' report on the matter concluded: 'Mr Leung was also advised the Club's policy is that horses be entered to run except under the circumstances as stated in the Conditions of Entry and, if withdrawals continue because of coughing or not eating, it may be necessary for management to reconsider the situation.'
In some racing jurisdictions, horses are not permitted to race again for several weeks after any type of withdrawal on veterinary grounds, but chief stipendiary steward John Schreck said last night: 'That is not the standard policy here and each case is considered on its merits, but we did think that kind of action was appropriate in this particular case. And anyway it is not our job to make policy - that is a matter for the racing committee.'
Leung said he had entered My Heart for the race assuming, correctly, that it would be divided and assuming that My Heart would be one of the high weights in the weaker second division. Instead, he found it was in the first division, six pounds out of the handicap, and Leung requested several times pre-declaration that the horse be withdrawn. Those requests were refused.
Yesterday morning at trackwork, Leung's warm-up rider told him My Heart had coughed and, after Leung had galloped the horse himself, he also said he had heard it cough. The trainer continued to press for permission to withdraw the horse, although a subsequent endoscopic examination did not show any abnormality.