01/07/2019  Shatin  Race 2

ABOVE shifted out at the start and bumped MI BLANCO whilst ROOKIE STAR shifted out and bumped HIDDEN SPIRIT. SOCCER BRAVE began awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in KEEP WINNING being taken out, causing DRAGON REGIMENT to be crowded for room inside ASSOCIATION FANS. From the outside barrier, INVESTOR BOOM was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being hard ridden in the early stages, WHAMPOA STAR failed to muster speed. SOCCER BRAVE lost its right front plate in the early stages. After travelling a short distance, HIDDEN SPIRIT was bumped by ROOKIE STAR which was taken out by MI BLANCO. For the majority of the race, DRAGON REGIMENT travelled wide and without cover and then gave ground abruptly from after the 700 Metres and finished tailed out. The performance of DRAGON REGIMENT was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DRAGON REGIMENT 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 DRAGON REGIMENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Near the 450 Metres, LETSGOFREE was checked when crowded for room between SOCCER BRAVE which got its head on the side and shifted in after being bumped on the hindquarters by LETSGOFREE and KEEP WINNING which, when improving into tight running outside ROOKIE STAR, was taken out by that horse which in turn was taken out by ABOVE as that horse shifted out away from the heels of LUCKY STORM. Although the interference suffered by LETSGOFREE was of some significance, the Stewards were satisfied that there was no rider carelessness associated with this incident, therefore no further action was taken. At the 400 Metres, ABOVE and LET’S COME BACK raced tight as ABOVE attempted to shift out away from the heels of GOBI STORM. When ABOVE was unable to shift out, it was directed back to the inside of GOBI STORM approaching the 350 Metres. Rounding the Home Turn and in the Straight, ASSOCIATION FANS hung in under pressure. At the entrance to the Straight, SOCCER BRAVE was momentarily directed out away from the heels of KEEP WINNING. Near the 150 Metres, ROOKIE STAR raced tight inside the heels of MI BLANCO which shifted in before being corrected. The performances of SOCCER BRAVE and GOBI STORM, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SOCCER BRAVE and GOBI STORM will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on KEEP WINNING at the request of Trainer C W Chang. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, KEEP WINNING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of ASSOCIATION FANS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. KEEP WINNING, HIDDEN SPIRIT and MI BLANCO were sent for sampling.