27/01/2020  Shatin  Race 10

ENCOURAGING was withdrawn on 26.1.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HELENA BABY (H T Mo). Before being allowed to race again, ENCOURAGING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. NORTHERN SUPERSTAR and TURIN REDSTAR bumped at the start. RAGING STORM was crowded for room on jumping between TURIN REDSTAR and GOOD STANDING which shifted in. HEZTHEWONFORUS began very awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in TORNADO TWIST being checked when crowded for room. From wide barriers, TIME TO CELEBRATE and FAST MOST FURIOUS were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. After travelling a short distance, HEZTHEWONFORUS and JOLLY BANNER bumped. In the early part of the Straight, TIME TO CELEBRATE and JOLLY BANNER raced tight as JOLLY BANNER shifted out. After the 350 Metres, H T Mo dropped his left rein which he took some time to regather. Passing the 300 Metres, TORNADO TWIST (C Y Ho) was shifted in abruptly after being checked away from the heels of HELENA BABY which was giving ground quickly. When TORNADO TWIST shifted in, it bumped RAGING STORM which became unbalanced. C Y Ho was advised that whilst it was accepted that his mount was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HELENA BABY, nonetheless he must exercise due care in similar circumstances. Near the 250 Metres, M Chadwick (MORETHANLUCKY) dropped his whip. Throughout the race, MORETHANLUCKY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of RAGING STORM rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, S de Sousa stated that he had been following NORTHERN SUPERSTAR after the 600 Metres. He said when that horse commenced to improve to the outside of GOOD STANDING near the 500 Metres, his mount was left flat-footed as the pace of the race increased. He said he rode his mount along on the rail to improve his position, however, RAGING STORM took some time to gather momentum. He said RAGING STORM was commencing to make up ground after the 300 Metres when bumped by TORNADO TWIST. He said after this RAGING STORM came off the bridle, did not finish off the race and was one-paced. A veterinary inspection of RAGING STORM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on PERFECT MATCH at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, PERFECT MATCH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of FAT TURTLE and TORNADO TWIST immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PERFECT MATCH and FAST MOST FURIOUS were sent for sampling.