15/07/2018  Shatin  Race 4

FRIENDO began very awkwardly and lost ground and then shifted out at the start, bumping the hindquarters of FLYING LOVER which became unbalanced. Shortly after the start, COMPLACENCY raced tight between MASTER VIKING and RAY’S CALL which shifted in after being bumped by MY WINNER. From the outside barrier, MY WINNER was subsequently shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, MASTER VIKING was slow to muster speed and making the turn at the 850 Metres was left racing wide and without cover. Making the turn near the 850 Metres, BEAUT BEAUT and ALL YOU NEED were checked as ALL YOU NEED improved its position to be racing tight inside the heels of LIVERBIRD STAR and BEAUT BEAUT being awkwardly placed outside the heels of BURST AWAY. ALL YOU NEED got it head up for some distance and proved difficult to settle during and after this incident. As the Stewards were satisfied that there was no rider error involved in this incident, no further action was taken. REGENCY DARLING lost its left front plate after the 850 Metres. Approaching the 600 Metres, FLYING LOVER raced tight inside COMPLACENCY when awkwardly placed close to the heels of BEAUT BEAUT. Near the 250 Metres, LIGHTNING STEED shifted out and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ALL YOU NEED. LIGHTNING STEED then shifted in, resulting in ALL MY GAIN, which was following, being directed in away from the heels of LIGHTNING STEED in consequence. Approaching the 200 Metres, COMPLACENCY (C Y Ho) shifted in away from MY WINNER which was laying in, resulting in FLYING LOVER having to be checked away from the heels of COMPLACENCY. Whilst the Stewards accepted that COMPLACENCY had initially shifted in away from MY WINNER, nonetheless C Y Ho was reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mounts in an endeavour to assist his fellow riders. After the race, J Moreira reported that LIGHTNING STEED did not handle today’s track conditions. A veterinary inspection of LIGHTNING STEED immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. A veterinary inspection of BEAUT BEAUT 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, BEAUT BEAUT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MASTER VIKING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LIGHTNING STEED, REGENCY DARLING and BURST AWAY were sent for sampling.