28/10/2020  Happy Valley  Race 8

CHIKORITA began only fairly. Shortly after the start, WIND N GRASS raced tight between HARMONY N HOME and TELECOM JAC which shifted in. LE TERROIR shifted in at the start and inconvenienced FALCON TURBO. When being steadied from a wide barrier to obtain cover, BABY was bumped shortly after the tart by STANLEY PARK which shifted in. After travelling a short distance, GOOD BEAUTY was awkwardly placed inside the heels of FALCON TURBO which shifted in. Passing the 1100 Metres, LE TERROIR was crowded for room between FALCON TURBO and SHAMPORT which shifted in after becoming unbalanced as a result of being bumped by ISLAND SHINE (T Piccone) which got its head on the side and lay in. T Piccone was told that whilst the Stewards accepted that ISLAND SHINE had lay in at this stage and proved somewhat difficult, nonetheless he must ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground and making contact with other runners. When LE TERROIR was crowded for room, FALCON TURBO was bumped on the hindquarters by LE TERROIR, became unbalanced and shifted in, resulting in TELECOM JAC being steadied. After the 900 Metres, LE TERROIR was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 800 Metres, TORNADO TWIST was awkwardly placed behind TELECOM JAC. In the Straight, ISLAND SHINE lay in under pressure. Then over the over the concluding stages, TORNADO TWIST raced tight inside ISLAND SHINE which continued to lay in. Having regard to the neck margin between WIND N GRASS, 4th placegetter, and TELECOM JAC (N Callan), 5th placegetter, N Callan was told that whilst the Stewards were satisfied that his riding of the horse over the concluding stages did not affect its finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels to the end of the race where circumstances permit. Z Purton, the rider of TORNADO TWIST, will be interviewed prior to the Sha Tin Racemeeting to be conducted on Sunday, 1 November 2020 regarding the disappointing performance of the horse. A veterinary inspection of TORNADO TWIST immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SHAMPORT immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea and also found the horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, SHAMPORT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SHAMPORT, STANLEY PARK and FALCON TURBO were sent for sampling.