17/09/2023  Shatin  Race 5

MORE RICE was slow to begin and then was bumped by MULTISUPER which jumped awkwardly and shifted in. ASIAN ONE jumped only fairly. COOL BLUE also jumped only fairly, shifted out and made contact with the hindquarters of HERO ICON. Between the 300 Metres and the 200 Metres, COOL BLUE was held up for clear running when being shifted to the outside of FLYING DRAGON. KILLER INSTINCT raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. After the race, Z Purton (MAN STAR) reported that whilst his mount was impeded for a short distance near the 250 Metres when positioned behind MULTISUPER, it gave ground over the concluding stages and raced in a disappointing manner. A veterinary inspection of MAN STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MAN STAR, favourite for the race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MAN STAR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, L Hewitson (COLOURFUL PRINCE) reported that he expected to lead on his mount, but after jumping awkwardly and losing ground and being crowded shortly afterwards between MAN STAR which shifted in and FLYING DRAGON which jumped awkwardly and shifted out, COLOURFUL PRINCE settled further back than intended. He added COLOURFUL PRINCE was unsuited by racing behind other runners and this accounted, in his opinion, for his mount’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of COLOURFUL PRINCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MORE RICE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MAN STAR, KILLER INSTINCT and RED DESERT were sent for sampling.