01/07/2018  Shatin  Race 4

Just prior to the start being effected, SUPREME WITNESS became fractious and then as the gates opened lifted its front feet off the ground, began awkwardly and lost ground. HONEST WAY shifted out at the start and bumped FLYING LOVER. From a wide barrier, SHINING ON was restrained in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Also from the outside barrier, ABSOLUCOOL was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. A short distance after the start, STAR OF PATCH was steadied to obtain a position with cover closer to the rail. Approaching the 900 Metres, SUPREME WITNESS was crowded for room inside GRACIOUS RYDER which commenced to prove very difficult to settle and shifted in when being checked away from the heels of JOY AND POWER. Throughout the race, FLYING LOVER travelled wide and without cover. At the entrance to the Straight, ABSOLUCOOL raced close to the heels of STAR OF PATCH and when being shifted to the outside of that horse bumped with HONG KONG’S FOLKS, causing ABSOLUCOOL to become badly unbalanced and HONG KONG’S FOLKS to become unbalanced. Prior to the declaration of weighed-in, the Stewards viewed the video to establish whether there were grounds for a protest/objection in respect of the 3rd placegetter SUNSHINE HOLIDAY against the 2nd placegetter VICTORY POWER. It was evident that SUNSHINE HOLIDAY hung in in the early part of the Straight and near the 250 Metres had to be corrected by its rider after shifting in towards the heels of FLYING LOVER. After being straightened, SUNSHINE HOLIDAY again shifted in and bumped VICTORY POWER near the 150 Metres, resulting in that horse becoming unbalanced. SUNSHINE HOLIDAY and VICTORY POWER continued to race tight for the remainder of the race and close to the finishing line SUNSHINE HOLIDAY was taken out marginally by VICTORY POWER. As the Stewards were satisfied that SUNSHINE HOLIDAY had initiated the contact between the two horses by laying in, the matter was not proceeded with. After the race, K Teetan stated that although HONG KONG’S FOLKS was obliged to race three wide for the majority of the race, the horse had partial cover. He said HONG KONG’S FOLKS commenced to give ground abruptly from the 600 Metres and although bumped at the entrance to the Straight was well beaten at this time. A veterinary inspection of HONG KONG’S FOLKS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of HONG KONG’S FOLKS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HONG KONG’S FOLKS 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 MOST BEAUTIFUL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HONEST WAY, VICTORY MACHINE and VICTORY POWER were sent for sampling. <3/7/2018 Additional Veterinary Report>HONG KONG’S FOLKS, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. HONG KONG’S FOLKS was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer C W Chang yesterday morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front leg. As previously advised, HONG KONG’S FOLKS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.