03/07/2023  Shatin  Race 1

NOBLE STEED, which kicked a rail with its right hind leg in the Parade Ring, was examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the barriers and found to be suitable to race. MEDIC ELITE jumped only fairly and then was crowded by DRAGON KINGDOM which shifted out. On jumping, WINWIN THIRTYTHREE was bumped by NORDIC COMBINED which shifted in, resulting in WINWIN THIRTYTHREE then shifting in and crowding JUST GREAT TWO. WINWIN THIRTYTHREE was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages from a wide barrier. Shortly after the start, NOBLE STEED was crowded between MEDIC ELITE and SUPER JOY which shifted in after being bumped by SOARING TOWER. Near the 150 Metres, MEDIC ELITE became held up behind NORDIC COMBINED and then did not obtain clear running until near the 75 Metres when it shifted to the outside of that runner. SOARING TOWER, which was giving ground, was steadied away from the heels of MEDIC ELITE as a consequence. Approaching the 100 Metres, SUPER HORNET became held up behind SOARING TOWER. When being shifted to the outside of SOARING TOWER, SUPER HORNET (C Y Ho) made contact with BIRDSVILLE, resulting in BIRDSVILLE being taken out and hampering STAR OF YUEN LONG. C Y Ho was reprimanded. Approaching the 50 Metres, Apprentice Y L Chung (FIRE BALL) dropped his whip. As this was the third occasion this season that Apprentice Chung had been reported to have dropped his whip in races, he was placed on notice that should he again drop his whip this season, further action may be taken. NORDIC COMBINED raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. After the race, Z Purton (SOARING TOWER) stated that, in his opinion, SOARING TOWER failed to run out tonight’s 1400 Metres. A veterinary inspection of SOARING TOWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, DRAGON KINGDOM was found to have blood in the right nostril. A subsequent endoscopic examination conducted on DRAGON KINGDOM confirmed the horse to have bled. A veterinary inspection of FIRE BALL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. APEX TOP, WINWIN THIRTYTHREE and NOBLE STEED were sent for sampling.