08/06/2019  Shatin  Race 5

BINGO was withdrawn on 7.6.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inflamed right fore medial fetlock) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter FARM BUMPER (M F Poon). Before being allowed to race again, BINGO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WHAT A LEGEND began awkwardly and shortly after the start was bumped on the hindquarters by GOLDEN TURBO which was crowded for room inside JOY MASTER which was directed in by SHINING ACE which shifted ground as J Moreira attempted to place his left foot back in the stirrup iron after he lost the use of that iron on jumping. From the outside barriers, ALPHABET INVENTION, BEST FOR YOU and SLEEP EDUCATION were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1000 Metres, SHINING ACE was awkwardly placed outside the heels of MANFUL STAR. When being steadied to allow FANTASTIC FABIO to cross near the 900 Metres, FARM BUMPER commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up for some distance. FARM BUMPER was then allowed to improve its position to remain racing inside FANTASTIC FABIO. Passing the 900 Metres, WHAT A LEGEND lost ground when crowded for room inside BETTER CHOICE which shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SHINING ACE which was awkwardly placed behind MANFUL STAR as that horse steadied to allow FANTASTIC FABIO to cross. GOLDEN TURBO, which was following, was checked away from the heels of WHAT A LEGEND in consequence, shifted out and bumped JOY MASTER. JOY MASTER and GOLDEN TURBO then raced tight for some distance until passing the 750 Metres at which time JOY MASTER became awkward near the heels of SUN SUN FA FA. ALPHABET INVENTION, which was following JOY MASTER, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Near the 550 Metres, MANFUL STAR was taken wider by BETTER CHOICE which shifted to the outside of FANTASTIC FABIO. In the Straight, WHAT A LEGEND lay out under pressure. After the race, Z Purton stated that, in his opinion, BETTER CHOICE raced disappointingly. He said after being able to obtain a more forward position from an inside barrier, BETTER CHOICE then did not finish off the race as anticipated. A veterinary inspection of BETTER CHOICE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, BETTER CHOICE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SHINING ACE and SUN SUN FA FA were sent for sampling.