16/07/2023  Shatin  Race 7

OUTGATE, which had its right hind plate adjusted in the saddling stalls, was examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the Start and passed suitable to race. GLOBAL HARMONY was slow to begin. O’LINER jumped awkwardly. SOLID IMPACT jumped only fairly, then raced keenly in the early stages and near the 800 Metres was steadied to avoid SELF IMPROVEMENT. After the 900 Metres, SELF IMPROVEMENT commenced to race keenly and lay out. Approaching the 350 Metres, MUGEN shifted out and away from HAPPY GOLF, resulting in CZARSON being positioned close to MUGEN. Near the 250 Metres, CZARSON was then steadied when crowded between MUGEN and GLOBAL HARMONY which shifted in before being corrected by its rider, K Teetan. Approaching the 250 Metres, SOLID IMPACT had difficulty obtaining clear running when endeavouring to improve between SELF IMPROVEMENT and KILINDINI. As a result, SOLID IMPACT did not obtain clear running until near the 150 Metres. HAPPY GOLF raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of PACKING BOLE, M F Poon stated that from the outside barrier his mount showed good pace to cross and lead. He said soon after entering the Home Straight he felt PACKING BOLE came under pressure and failed to respond to his riding from that point, but could offer no excuse for the manner in which PACKING BOLE gave ground in the Home Straight. Trainer C S Shum advised that PACKING BOLE had pleased him since its first win. He stated that with the quick pace PACKING BOLE set in the early stages and stepping up into Class 3 tonight were the only explanations he could offer for the disappointing performance of PACKING BOLE. A veterinary inspection of PACKING BOLE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of PACKING BOLE, a last start winner and favourite for tonight’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PACKING BOLE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding his riding out of MUGEN in the Home Straight, Z Purton stated that after testing his mount from the 400 Metres, as he approached the 250 Metres, MUGEN shifted in whilst being ridden along and as a result became awkwardly placed close to HAPPY GOLF. He added with the strong head wind, MUGEN then became unbalanced and as he was not sure if there might be something amiss with the horse from that point, he did not fully ride it out to the finish of the event. A veterinary inspection of MUGEN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MUGEN was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MUGEN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SOLID IMPACT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of KILINDINI immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, KILINDINI will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PACKING BOLE, ENTERPRISE ATTACK and GLOBAL HARMONY were sent for sampling.