14/06/2020  Shatin  Race 2

IRON KING was withdrawn on 12.6.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter GALAXY RACER (B Shinn). Before being allowed to race again, IRON KING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ART OF RAW shifted out at the start and bumped GALAXY RACER. IMPECCABLE FELLOW lost ground on jumping when crowded for room between WHO’S HORSE and BUNDLE OF ENERGY which was taken in by BABY STORM. Shortly after the start, DIAMOND LEGEND was steadied away from the heels of KELMIMI WINS which shifted out away from SHANGHAI DRAGON after being bumped by that horse. From the outside barriers, SUCCESS ALLSTARS and BRAVERY AND POWER were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. For some distance in the early stages, KEEP GOING travelled keenly when being steadied to obtain cover and passing the 1200 Metres was checked away from the heels of KELMIMI WINS which was awkwardly placed outside SHANGHAI DRAGON. In this incident, KEEP GOING struck the heels of KELMIMI WINS. Following the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that KELMIMI WINS had been galloped on the left hind leg. Near the 900 Metres, KEEP GOING was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 900 Metres, KELMIMI WINS and BUNDLE OF ENERGY bumped. After the 900 Metres, IMPECCABLE FELLOW raced tight inside GALAXY RACER which got its head on the side and lay in despite the efforts of its rider. Approaching the 600 Metres, SUCCESS ALLSTARS raced tight outside BUNDLE OF ENERGY which shifted out. After the 500 Metres, KEEP GOING was bumped by BABY STORM which lay out. This resulted in both BABY STORM and KEEP GOING becoming unbalanced and BABY STORM shifting out further as a result of becoming unbalanced. Then in the early part of the Straight, BABY STORM continued to lay out under pressure. Rounding the Home Turn, GALAXY RACER was shifted out away from the heels of WHO’S HORSE which was giving ground. BRAVERY AND POWER was help up for clear running from passing the 300 Metres until approaching the 200 Metres. After the race, C Y Ho stated that after riding his mount positively in the early stages to obtain a forward position, WHO’S HORSE travelled only fairly and he was required to start riding it along prior to the 800 Metres. He said WHO’S HORSE came under severe pressure after the 700 Metres and despite being vigorously ridden along rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight commenced to give ground. He added then in the Straight WHO’S HORSE weakened and was disappointing. Mr K H Ting, the trainer of WHO’S HORSE, stated that, in his opinion, the horse races best when able to obtain an uncontested lead and today’s poor run could be attributed to the fact that WHO’S HORSE was not able to lead despite the efforts of its rider. A veterinary inspection of WHO’S HORSE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of WHO’S HORSE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, WHO’S HORSE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, K Teetan stated that it was intended for DIAMOND LEGEND to be ridden in a forward position, however, after being hampered shortly after the start DIAMOND LEGEND was required to race back in the field. He said the horse did not travel strongly at any stage and then did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of DIAMOND LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SHANGHAI DRAGON, IMPECCABLE FELLOW and BUNDLE OF ENERGY were sent for sampling.