17/01/2021  Shatin  Race 3

ELUSIVE STATE began awkwardly. Approaching the 800 Metres, GLORIOUS ARTIST was left racing wide and without cover. GLORIOUS ARTIST then lay out and made the Home Turn awkwardly. When questioned regarding the performance of KINGS SHIELD, Z Purton stated that the horse did not stretch out today and felt stiff in its action. He said mid-race he was concerned that the horse would not close off the race given the manner in which it was travelling and, when placed under pressure well before the Home Turn, KINGS SHIELD failed to respond to his riding and was particularly disappointing. Trainer F C Lor advised the Stewards the only excuse he could offer was that the horse may have taken some harm from its last start where it struck interference on the Home Turn. He added however that KINGS SHIELD had appeared to come out of that race without any particular issue and had worked and done well leading into today’s event. A veterinary inspection of KINGS SHIELD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of KINGS SHIELD, favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, KINGS SHIELD will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of CIRCUIT GLORY immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. KINGS SHIELD, ELUSIVE STATE and ENCORE BOY were sent for sampling.