06/02/2021  Shatin  Race 7

NOTHING NEW began awkwardly. In the early stages, GREAT TREASURE and TANGMERE were also shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, LONDON HALL failed to muster speed. After being shifted across from the outside barrier in the early stages, INDICATIVE VOTE was left racing wide and without cover throughout and in the Straight gave ground and finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of INDICATIVE VOTE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. The performance of INDICATIVE VOTE was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, INDICATIVE VOTE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A Hamelin stated that he was asked to ride HONGKONG GREAT in the same manner that he rode the horse at its last start when successful over a shorter distance. He said after ensuring that HONGKONG GREAT began well, the horse then raced very strongly in the early and middle stages as it did at its last start. He said he attempted to have HONGKONG GREAT relaxed as he was aware that the horse was opening up a significant margin over the remainder of the field along the Back Straight, however, HONGKONG GREAT was travelling too strongly and he believed that he would have had to break the horse’s stride if it was restrained any further. He added the horse raced strongly in both today’s race and at its last start, however, at its last start HONGKONG GREAT was able to finish off the race stronger over a shorter distance as the step-up in distance to 1800 Metres resulted in it not being able to finish off the race as strongly as hoped. He said however the horse still finished off the race well, however, he recommended to connections that if a suitable race over a shorter distance is available in the future, HONGKONG GREAT may be better suited by dropping back in distance. A veterinary inspection of TURIN REDSTAR immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. PARTY EVERYDAY, BEAR SLAM and PING HAI TREASURE were sent for sampling.