21/04/2021  Happy Valley  Race 7

The Veterinary Officer reported that when parading, OVERSUBSCRIBED became distressed and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, OVERSUBSCRIBED was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. The Veterinary Officer subsequently reported that OVERSUBSCRIBED was displaying signs consistent with mild colic. Before being allowed to race again, OVERSUBSCRIBED will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ALLEZ shifted in at the start and bumped the hindquarters of CANTSTOPTHEFEELING. AMAZING ROCKY began awkwardly and then was bumped by STEEL WIN which shifted out. From the outside barrier, FOREVER CITY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From a wide barrier, HARMONY FIRE was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover, however, was left racing wide and without cover after the 800 Metres. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, VICTORY IN HAND failed to muster speed. B Shinn (ALLEZ) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching and passing the 900 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of SPICY SO GOOD, resulting in that horse being crowded for room and checked approaching the 850 Metres. B Shinn was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Thursday, 13 May 2021 and to expire on Thursday, 20 May 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Shinn’s good race riding record. Approaching the 400 Metres, STEEL WIN raced tight between HARMONY FIRE and SPICY SO GOOD which improved into tight running between STEEL WIN and TRAVEL DATUK. At the 300 Metres, TRAVEL DATUK was shifted in away from the heels of ALLEZ which got its head on the side and lay in away from the heels of MY MY MY. Near the 250 Metres, JOYFUL WIN was shifted out away from the heels of AMAZING ROCKY. Near the 100 Metres, SPICY SO GOOD was shifted out away from the heels of MY MY MY which, when giving ground, was taken out by ALLEZ. Over the final 100 Metres, AMAZING ROCKY shifted out under pressure. Throughout the race, JOYFUL WIN travelled wide and without cover. After the race, Z Purton stated that it was intended for SPICY SO GOOD to lead if possible. He said however that after being slow to begin and then being checked approaching the 850 Metres, this resulted in SPICY SO GOOD racing back in the field. A veterinary inspection of SPICY SO GOOD immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg and an endoscopic examination also showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, SPICY SO GOOD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of VICTORY IN HAND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MY MY MY immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, MY MY MY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. OVERSUBSCRIBED, SPICY SO GOOD, CANTSTOPTHEFEELING and AMAZING ROCKY were sent for sampling.