20/12/2020  Shatin  Race 8

ROYAL BOMB was slow to begin. DUBLIN STAR began awkwardly and lost ground at the start. Soon after the start, TORNADO TWIST was crowded for room between ROYAL CAMPBELL which shifted in after stumbling on jumping and BEAUTY KOBE which was taken out by CALIFORNIA GUNGHO which in turn was obliged to shift out away from PRIVATE ROCKET which got its head on the side and shifted out abruptly at the start. From the outside barrier, WINNING FOR ALL was steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Throughout the race, SKY SHOW travelled wide and without cover. After the race, Apprentice C L Chau reported that he was instructed to be positive on PRIVATE ROCKET and that it was acceptable for him to lead if no other rider was intent on leading. He said in accordance with his instructions, he rode PRIVATE ROCKET positively in the early stages from the inside barrier and maintained the lead and the horse travelled satisfactorily throughout the early and middle stages. He said however that after giving him some response in the early part of the Straight, PRIVATE ROCKET was disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of PRIVATE ROCKET immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in its trachea and also found the horse to be coughing. Before being allowed to race again, PRIVATE ROCKET will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PRIVATE ROCKET, WINNING FOR ALL and ROMAN TURBO were sent for sampling.