05/07/2020  Shatin  Race 7

CITY LEGEND was withdrawn on 2.7.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter FRESH POWER. Before being allowed to race again, CITY LEGEND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. EASY DAZZLING began awkwardly. SUPER BULLET and MISSION SMART began only fairly. From wide barriers, MONSTER KAKA and VICTORIOUS LEADER were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover in the early stages. After travelling a short distance, EASY DAZZLING and SUPER BULLET bumped and became unbalanced as a result of both horses shifting ground. SUPER BULLET and EASY DAZZLING then raced tight inside GOLDEN MISSION which got its head on the side and lay in away from IMPECCABLE FELLOW. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, FRESH POWER got its head on the side and shifted out, resulting in FRESH POWER being checked away from the heels of GOLDEN MISSION and losing ground. When FRESH POWER was checked, MONSTER KAKA shifted in away from the heels of that horse, resulting in MISSION SMART being momentarily crowded for room. NOBLE DESIRE got its head on the side and lay out rounding the Home Turn. After the 400 Metres, MONSTER KAKA was momentarily tightened for room inside EASY DAZZLING which got its head on the side and lay in when placed under pressure. At the 300 Metres, SUPER BULLET was bumped by MISSION SMART (K C Leung) which shifted out. SUPER BULLET was then taken wider by MISSION SMART which continued to shift out. K C Leung was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. For the majority of the race, CIGAR BUDDIES travelled wide and without cover and then in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of CIGAR BUDDIES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of CIGAR BUDDIES, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CIGAR BUDDIES will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, Apprentice K H Chan (NUNCHUKS) stated that near the 550 Metres he commenced to direct NUNCHUKS to the outside of NOBLE DESIRE. He said at this time he received a call from the rider of POWER KING and as he felt that he was not sufficiently clear to continue to shift out, he steadied NUNCHUKS before again commencing to shift to the outside of NOBLE DESIRE near the 500 Metres. He said at this time he again received a call from the rider of POWER KING and therefore he directed his mount back in to resume his position behind NOBLE DESIRE as he felt that continuing to shift out would cause interference to POWER KING. He said as he commenced to shift back in, he then became aware that PERFECT PAIR had improved to be racing inside the heels of NUNCHUKS and therefore he directed his mount out abruptly after the 500 Metres to ensure that he did not cause interference to PERFECT PAIR. He added that this resulted in NUNCHUKS becoming unbalanced rounding the Home Turn. A veterinary inspection of MONSTER KAKA immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of POWER KING and IMPECCABLE FELLOW immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PERFECT PAIR and MISSION SMART were sent for sampling.