12/06/2019  Shatin  Race 1

DARK KNIGHT was withdrawn on 11.6.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore). Before being allowed to race again, DARK KNIGHT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Shortly after the start, HAY RUN raced in restricted room between REMARKABLE and WONDER EXPRESS which shifted out. From the outside barrier, PERFECT BUDDY was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, FLASH FAMOUS was very awkwardly placed outside the heels of ENJOY LIFE when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse. After this, FLASH FAMOUS was left racing wide and without cover and was taken wider still by firstly REMARKABLE near the 1000 Metres and then when that horse was taken out by ENJOY LIFE near the 800 Metres. FLASH FAMOUS was then steadied near the 700 Metres to obtain a trailing position behind REMARKABLE. Also making the turn after passing the winning post on the first occasion, HAY RUN momentarily raced in restricted room between CROWN AVENUE and REMARKABLE. Approaching the 400 Metres, WONDER EXPRESS and ENJOY LIFE bumped. HAY RUN, which was following ENJOY LIFE, shifted out away from behind that horse and consequently raced tight inside FLASH FAMOUS. When questioned, C Schofield (WONDER EXPRESS) stated that he was instructed to lead the race. He said SPLENDID TIMING, which was drawn immediately to WONDER EXPRESS’ inside, began far better than his mount and he had to ride it along to improve his position. He said after shifting in to race outside SPLENDID TIMING approaching the 1400 Metres, he then rode his mount along with a view to improving forward of that horse and crossing SPLENDID TIMING to race in the lead. He said although he had to make more use of WONDER EXPRESS than had been anticipated, he felt that with the horse’s relatively light weight of 118 lbs compared to the top weight carried by SPLENDID TIMING, there may be an opportunity to obtain an uncontested lead. He added when SPLENDID TIMING maintained its position inside WONDER EXPRESS, he then steadied his mount after the 1200 Metres to sit off SPLENDID TIMING rather than engage in a speed battle in the lead. He said after this WONDER EXPRESS relaxed well, however, came under pressure passing the 600 Metres and then gave ground in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of WONDER EXPRESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of SPLENDID TIMING immediately following the race found that horse to have blood present at the right nostril. The Veterinary Officer reported that an endoscopic examination of SPLENDID TIMING confirmed the horse to have bled. SPLENDID TIMING, REMARKABLE and CROWN AVENUE were sent for sampling. <13/6/2019 Additional Veterinary Report>SPLENDID TIMING, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time the horse had blood present at the right nostril. The Veterinary Officer reported that an endoscopic examination of SPLENDID TIMING confirmed the horse to have bled. SPLENDID TIMING was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer C W Chang this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, SPLENDID TIMING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.