14/03/2020  Shatin  Race 9

On arrival at the Start, J Moreira expressed concern regarding the action of STAR LUCK. The Veterinary Officer reported that an examination of STAR LUCK found that horse to be lame in its left front leg and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, STAR LUCK was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, STAR LUCK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. KING’S HORN began awkwardly and shifted out abruptly at the start and was steadied away from the heels of GOOD BEAUTY which resulted in KING’S HORN losing ground. OOGA CHAKA was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Also from the outside barrier, TRANSCENDENT was steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Despite being vigorously ridden for a considerable distance in the early stages, FANTASY was slow to muster speed and subsequently travelled wide and without cover for the majority of the race. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, VALIANT DREAM shifted out and bumped KA YING LEGEND. Passing the 300 Metres, ELIGERE was shifted out away from the heels of GOKO and was then held up behind VALIANT DREAM. ELIGERE then had difficulty obtaining clear running and near the 100 Metres shifted in marginally when racing very close to the heels of VALIANT DREAM, resulting in GOKO, which was commencing to give ground, being steadied when tightened. ELIGERE was then not ridden out over the concluding stages. Near the 250 Metres, FANTASY was awkwardly placed outside TRANSCENDENT which got its head on the side and shifted out away from UNIQUE TREASURE. FANTASTY again raced tight outside TRANSCENDENT near the 150 Metres as that horse continued to lay out. TRANSCENDENT and FANTASY then bumped near the 100 Metres as a result of both horses shifting ground. Close to the finishing line, GOOD BEAUTY was awkwardly placed behind BALLISTIC KING and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. When questioned, M L Yeung stated that it was explained to him that KA YING LEGEND was something of a lazy horse and therefore he was told to ensure that the horse did not get too far out of its ground in the early and middle stages. He said passing the 700 Metres VALIANT DREAM shifted out away from the rail behind GOKO, resulting in KA YING LEGEND being taken wider. He said when this happened, KA YING LEGEND appeared to lose some confidence and was reluctant to maintain its position outside that horse and therefore he was required to ride it along in order to hold its position outside VALIANT DREAM. He said KA YING LEGEND was reluctant to maintain its position outside VALIANT DREAM and therefore he had to ride the horse more urgently passing the 500 Metres which required him riding KA YING LEGEND along earlier in the race than he otherwise would. A veterinary inspection of KING’S HORN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of OOGA CHAKA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. TRANSCENDENT and FANTASY were sent for sampling.