24/05/2020  Shatin  Race 6

SOLAR POWER was withdrawn on 23.5.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter VOYAGE STAR (A Hamelin). Before being allowed to race again, SOLAR POWER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HORSE WINNINGS was slow to begin. FLYING SPIRIT and QIPAO BOSS bumped heavily at the start, causing both horses to become badly unbalanced. FLYING SPIRIT was then steadied when crowded for room between GALLANT LEGACY and VOYAGE STAR which shifted out after being bumped by FANTASTIC FABIO. SACRED TIMING lost ground on jumping when crowded for room between GOLDEN LINK and ARDENODE which shifted out abruptly despite the efforts of its rider. Despite being vigorously ridden for a considerable distance in the early stages, FANTASTIC FABIO failed to muster speed. Approaching the 900 Metres, HORSE WINNINGS became unbalanced in its action. Passing the 900 Metres, GOLDEN LINK got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of FANTASTIC FABIO which was steadied away from the heels of GALLANT LEGACY which was steadied to avoid the heels of REGENCY POET (K Teetan) which shifted in when not properly clear. K Teetan was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground in similar circumstances. SKY DARCI was badly held up for a run from on straightening until after passing the 200 Metres at which stage the horse was shifted to the outside of REGENCY POET to obtain clear running. When SKY DARCI was shifted out, FLYING SPIRIT was inconvenienced. After racing greenly in the early and middle stages, GOLDEN LINK lay in under pressure over the final 200 Metres, requiring its rider to stop riding and straighten his mount on a number of occasions. Throughout the race, KINDA COOL travelled wide and without cover. After the race, K Teetan stated that he had to make a deal of use of REGENCY POET in the early stages to obtain a forward position from its awkward barrier. He said as a consequence REGENCY POET then came under pressure soon after straightening and weakened noticeably. A veterinary inspection of REGENCY POET immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of VOYAGE STAR immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. A veterinary inspection of HORSE WINNINGS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KINDA COOL, SCORES OF FUN and GOLDEN LINK were sent for sampling.