01/03/2020  Shatin  Race 8

After the running of Race 5, the Stewards interviewed Mr T P Yung, the trainer of KA YING LEGEND, regarding advice provided by Dr E N M Ho, the Club’s Head of Racing Laboratory, that a pre-race urine sample taken from KA YING LEGEND earlier today was found to contain the prohibited substance Clenbuterol. The Stewards acceded to a request from Mr Yung to withdraw KA YING LEGEND from this race. Accordingly, KA YING LEGEND was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. A further urine sample was taken from KA YING LEGEND under post-race conditions. The matter was adjourned until a date to be fixed. HAPPY TIME shifted out at the start, resulting in MAGIC SUPREME being crowded for room inside BALTIC SUCCESS. HAPPY ALUMNI began only fairly. GOODLUCK GOODLUCK shifted out on jumping and bumped GOLDEN SPECTRUM. From a wide barrier, MONKEY JEWELLERY was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Passing the 1100 Metres, HAPPY ALUMNI got its head up when travelling keenly. After the 900 Metres, FEARLESS FIRE was left racing wide and without cover. SMART COUSIN made the turn near the 900 Metres awkwardly. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered whether INNER FLAME had been afforded a fair start. After viewing the videos and taking evidence from Mr A Speechley, the Starter, it was established that as the start was effected INNER FLAME became very fractious, got its head down and then swung its head to the right, making contact with the side of the barrier stall. As the Stewards were satisfied that INNER FLAME had caused its own issues by becoming fractious and that there had been no external influence in this incident, it was found that INNER FLAME had been afforded a fair start and accordingly was deemed to be a runner. When questioned regarding the performance of INNER FLAME, A Badel stated that whilst INNER FLAME had previously left the barriers satisfactorily, the horse had on occasions proved to be fractious. He said after missing the start today, he was required to ride INNER FLAME back in the field, however, the horse did not travel comfortably at any stage. He said in the Home Straight INNER FLAME lay in and whilst the horse had done this previously, he felt that it lay in worse today than had previously been the case. He said, despite being placed under pressure, INNER FLAME did not respond to his riding at any stage in the Straight and did not finish off the race. He added, in his opinion, the performance of the horse could be attributed to its barrier manners and particularly the fact that it hit its head on leaving the barriers. A veterinary inspection of INNER FLAME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of INNER FLAME, favourite for today’s race and which finished at the tail of the field after being fractious in the barriers, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, INNER FLAME 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 GOODLUCK GOODLUCK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. INNER FLAME, E STAR and BALTIC SUCCESS were sent for sampling.