11/01/2020  Shatin  Race 9

UNICORNBABY began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of AWE, causing that horse to become unbalanced and UNICORNBABY to lose ground. Near the 1150 Metres, MONEY BACK was crowded for room inside UNICORNBABY which was taken in by ULTIMATE GLORY which, after being hard ridden for a considerable distance to improve to the inside of SUPER STAR, was shifted in away from that horse as SUPER STAR (S de Sousa), which was being steadied to obtain cover behind AWE, shifted in. S de Sousa was told that whilst there were circumstances to this incident, he must ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground. Passing the 500 Metres, AWE was crowded for room between ULTIMATE GLORY and HORSESAIN BOLT (K Teetan) which shifted out before being directed back in to relieve the tightening to AWE. In this incident, ULTIMATE GLORY was bumped on the hindquarters by AWE. K Teetan was severely reprimanded and advised in similar circumstances he would be expected to exercise more care when shifting ground than he did on this occasion. PERFECT PAIR was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and near the 350 Metres was shifted in when unable to improve between CRAIG’S STAR and WIND N GRASS. PERFECT PAIR continued to be held up for clear running and near the 200 Metres was shifted to the inside of CRAIG’S STAR into a tight run. PERFECT PAIR consequently raced in restricted room inside that horse when improving into tight running. Immediately after the race, the Stewards considered whether the inquiry signal should be displayed in respect of an incident near the 100 Metres involving MONEY BACK, 2nd placegetter, and the winner SUPER STAR. The Stewards elected not to notify an inquiry when it was evident that at the time MONEY BACK was directed to the outside of SUPER STAR which shifted in marginally, there was still running available for MONEY BACK to the inside of that horse. Prior to the declaration of weighed-in, Mr P O’Sullivan, the trainer of MONEY BACK, and T H So, the rider of that horse, viewed the videos of this incident and elected not to enter a protest/objection on behalf of the connections of MONEY BACK. When subsequently questioned, T H So stated that as SUPER STAR was shifting in, he anticipated that that horse would continue to shift ground and as he did not want MONEY BACK’s momentum to be halted, he decided to shift to the outside of that horse. He said as he was shifting to the outside of SUPER STAR, that horse straightened, however, at this stage he had already committed to alter course to the outside of that horse. The Stewards accepted Jockey So’s explanation. When questioned regarding the performance of BE READY, J Moreira stated that his mount enjoyed a comfortable run behind a good speed. He said he shifted BE READY to the outside of WIND N GRASS at the 500 Metres and the horse initially quickened satisfactorily for him. He said passing the 300 Metres BE READY got its head on the side and commenced to lay in and for this reason he changed the whip over into his right hand. He said BE READY continued to lay in and near the 200 Metres he became concerned that BE READY was not closing off the race as strongly as he anticipated. He added near the 150 Metres he had to correct BE READY as that horse continued to lay in and it was at this time that BE READY commenced to give ground noticeably. He said BE READY’S final 200 Metres was particularly disappointing, however, he was unable to offer a reason for the horse’s disappointing run. A veterinary inspection of BE READY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of KUNG FU FIGHTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BE READY, SUPER STAR and MONEY BACK were sent for sampling. <13/1/2020 Additional Veterinary Report>After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on SUPER STAR at the request of Trainer A T Millard. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, SUPER STAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.