24/01/2024  Shatin  Race 1

KIMBERLEY (H329): When questioned, Z Purton stated that his instructions were to be positive from a wide barrier and in the early stages was crowded by SAMARKAND which shifted in. He said he was then able to obtain a handy position in the early stages behind WINNING STEPS. He added when the pace of the race increased in the middle stages when HARRY’S HERO went forward, KIMBERLEY was shuffled further back in the field where it continued to follow WINNING STEPS. He said from near the 600 Metres his intention was to attempt to follow WINNING STEPS into the event, however, when that runner quickened better than his mount, he was unable to continue to follow WINNING STEPS due to his mount becoming one-paced at that point before finishing the race off fairly in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SAMARKAND (H070): Shortly after the start shifted in and got its head up when being corrected by its rider. AMAZING TEENS (E449): Approaching the 250 Metres RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE shifted to the outside of WINNING STEPS to improve, resulting in AMAZING TEENS being taken wider. HARRY'S HERO (H332): After the 1300 Metres commenced to race keenly and shifted out when being steadied away from KIMBERLEY. When caught wide and without cover thereafter was allowed to stride forward from the 1200 Metres where it obtained the lead near the 1050 Metres. BLISSFUL STAR (E168): Sent for sampling post-race. WINNING STEPS (G420): Sent for sampling post-race. PAKISTAN FRIEND (B370): No report. RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE (C197): Jumped only fairly and was bumped shortly after. Approaching the 250 Metres was shifted out to secure clear running. READY PLAYER ONE (G143): Jumped awkwardly, was crowded shortly after the start and became unbalanced. Near the 250 Metres was steadied away from SPLENDID STAR when taken wider by that runner. SPLENDID STAR (G026): Near the 250 Metres was taken wider. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. YEE CHEONG WARRIOR (E025): Shortly after the start was steadied when crowded by KIMBERLEY which was taken in by SAMARKAND which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider Apprentice Y L Chung. A veterinary inspection 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, YEE CHEONG WARRIOR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.