24/01/2021  Shatin  Race 8

After being loaded, TSAR became fractious and got its left hind leg caught over the back gates. TSAR was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that the horse was not fit to start. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of TSAR. Before being allowed to race again, TSAR will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CELESTIAL POWER became fractious just prior to the gates being released and consequently missed the start. Before being allowed to race again, CELESTIAL POWER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. THE SUMMIT and SKY DARCI bumped on jumping. From a wide barrier, RUSSIAN EMPEROR was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. LUCKY EXPRESS lost its left front plate in the early stages. At the 1100 Metres, ENRICH DELIGHT went amiss and lost ground abruptly. THE SUMMIT, which was following ENRICH DELIGHT, was checked in consequence. SKY DARCI, TOURBILLON DIAMOND and EXCELLENT PROPOSAL were also hampered. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that ENRICH DELIGHT had sustained an injury to the left front leg. When being shifted across to obtain cover behind SHADOW HERO at the 950 Metres, BEAUTY JOY commenced to over-race and then was checked away from the heels of SHADOW HERO which was being steadied outside the leader LUCKY PATCH. When being checked, BEAUTY JOY then improved to be racing inside the heels of SHADOW HERO and shifted in, resulting in MAXIMUS being crowded in onto the rail. SKY DARCI, which was following, was forced to shift out away from the heels of BEAUTY JOY in consequence. Approaching the 900 Metres, HEALTHY HAPPY was left racing wide and without cover. TOURBILLON DIAMOND was held up for clear running from on straightening until approaching the 200 Metres. THE SUMMIT had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. LUCKY EXPRESS was also held up for clear running until after passing the 300 Metres. When questioned, J Moreira stated that although SKY DARCI was inconvenienced when BEAUTY JOY was checked on the first turn, SKY DARCI continued to travel well after this incident and he expected the horse to show its customary good acceleration when brought to the outside early in the Straight. He said however that SKY DARCI was today very one-paced in the Straight and raced "flat”. He said he was unable to offer any explanation for the horse’s failure to close off as it normally does. A veterinary inspection of SKY DARCI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, Z Purton stated that it was intended for SHADOW HERO to be ridden more prominently and it was hoped that this might be with cover behind the leaders. He said the connections had also indicated to him that the option to lead was also open to him if he could obtain an uncontested lead. He said SHADOW HERO jumped much better today and he rode the horse positively in the early stages and after the 1200 Metres he shifted over to follow LUCKY PATCH across when that horse assumed the lead. He said SHADOW HERO travelled satisfactorily throughout the middle stages, however, was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to close off the race. A veterinary inspection of SHADOW HERO immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea and was also found to be galloped on the right hind leg. Before being allowed to race again, SHADOW HERO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MAXIMUS immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. A veterinary inspection of CELESTIAL POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SKY DARCI, EXCELLENT PROPOSAL and LUCKY EXPRESS were sent for sampling. Samples were also taken from ENRICH DELIGHT.