17/01/2021  Shatin  Race 6

EVERYONE’S DELIGHT jumped out at the start and made contact with INNO LEGEND which in turn shifted out and bumped YOUNG VICTORY which consequently shifted out, causing severe crowding to LEISURE AND GOLD and VICTORIA GENERAL, both of which were checked. In this incident, VICTORIA GENERAL was tightened onto the hindquarters of CIRCUIT HERO which became unbalanced. Approaching the 1000 Metres, EVERYONE’S DELIGHT travelled keenly when being steadied to obtain cover behind HOT CHILI PEPPER. Approaching the 900 Metres, INNO LEGEND was left racing wide and without cover. Z Purton, the rider of EVERYONE’S DELIGHT, was found guilty of a charge of improper conduct in that after pulling up on EVERYONE’S DELIGHT, he did unnecessarily and forcefully strike that horse down the left shoulder on three occasions with his whip. For this offence, Z Purton was fined the sum of $10,000. After the race, B Shinn stated that after being badly crowded at the start, VICTORIA GENERAL settled at the rear of the field. He said coming from a rearward position, the horse was not suited by the slow tempo in the early and middle stages and consequently was left flat-footed when the pace quickened approaching the Home Turn. He added that VICTORIA GENERAL is still quite inexperienced and was again inclined to race greenly when placed under pressure. A veterinary inspection of VICTORIA GENERAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of JUDY’S STAR and INNO LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EVERYONE’S DELIGHT, FAMILY FOLKS and HOT CHILI PEPPER were sent for sampling.