01/04/2020  Shatin  Race 2

GOLDEN MISSION and HAPPY WINNER bumped at the start. SPLENDID TIMING and GOOD LUCK MONEY were badly crowded for room on jumping between NOBLE CONSORT which shifted out and LITTLE THUNDER which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. This resulted in GOOD LUCK MONEY being hampered and SPLENDID TIMING losing ground when checked and for NOBLE CONSORT to become unbalanced due to contact on the hindquarters from SPLENDID TIMING. After being hampered on jumping, GOOD LUCK MONEY was steadied a short distance after the start to obtain cover from a wide barrier. Shortly after the start, KA FORTUNE and THOU SHALL SING bumped as a result of KA FORTUNE shifting out and THOU SHALL SING being taken in by GRACIOUS RYDER. Near the 1100 Metres, KA FORTUNE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of THOU SHALL SING. Throughout the race, NOBLE CONSORT travelled wide and without cover and consequently finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of NOBLE CONSORT immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. The performance of NOBLE CONSORT was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, NOBLE CONSORT 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, N Callan reported that after beginning awkwardly and bumping the outside of its barrier, he rode SHIMMER AND SHINE aggressively in an attempt to take up a forward position. He said after obtaining a position behind the leaders, he then had to continually ride SHIMMER AND SHINE along in an attempt to maintain its position. He said at no stage of the race, despite being ridden along, did SHIMMER AND SHINED travel strongly and after coming under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn the horse gave ground in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of SHIMMER AND SHINE immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a laceration to the outside of the right hind coronet. Before being allowed to race again, SHIMMER AND SHINE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. THOU SHALL SING and HANDSOME REBEL were sent for sampling.