16/05/2021  Shatin  Race 3

VICTORY MORE shifted out at the start, resulting in U W BROTHER being crowded for room inside PACKING AWARD which was hampered when bumped by U W BROTHER. CASA DE FORCA and PARTY GENIUS bumped at the start. CASA DE FORCA was then crowded for room between PARTY GENIUS and MASTER EIGHT which got its head on the side and shifted out away from FORMULA EXCEL. In this incident, MASTER EIGHT became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by CASA DE FORCA. FORMULA EXCEL then became unbalanced after being crowded for room inside MASTER EIGHT. From a wide barrier, PARTY GENIUS was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Despite being ridden along in the early stages from the outside barrier, GOOD BEAUTY failed to muster speed and was shifted across behind runners passing the 1100 Metres in an attempt to obtain cover, however, travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. Passing the 1100 Metres, HARDLY SWEARS lost ground when crowded for room inside U W BROTHER (H N Wong) which got its head on the side and shifted in away from MASTER EIGHT. As the Stewards were satisfied that Jockey Wong had reacted as quickly as possible to the shift from U W BROTHER and had attempted to correct his mount, no further action was taken. When being steadied to obtain cover behind U W BROTHER after the 1000 Metres, PACKING AWARD travelled keenly and got its head up on a number of occasions. VICTORY MORE made the turn near the 900 Metres awkwardly, got its head on the side and lay out towards the heels of HARDLY SWEARS. Passing the 700 Metres, GENERAL TRUMP, which was travelling keenly, was awkwardly placed behind PACKING AWARD. HARDLY SWEARS and GENERAL TRUMP raced tight near the 400 Metres. HARDLY SWEARS and GENERAL TRUMP continued to race tight for some distance in the early part of the Straight as GENERAL TRUMP attempted to shift to the outside of CASA DE FORCA. After briefly improving into tight running between CASA DE FORCA and HARDLY SWEARS passing the 300 Metres, GENERAL TRUMP was steadied when crowded for room between HARDLY SWEARS and CASA DE FORCA which got its head on the side and shifted out away from PACKING AWARD as that horse improved into tight running between CASA DE FORCA and U W BROTHER. In this incident, HARDLY SWEARS was hampered by GENERAL TRUMP, shifted out and inconvenienced GOOD BEAUTY. FORMULA EXCEL, which was following GENERAL TRUMP, was steadied away from the heels of that horse and shifted out in consequence. Throughout the race, CASA DE FORCA travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of CASA DE FORCA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GENERAL TRUMP immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. It was also noted that GENERAL TRUMP had sustained a laceration to the right front leg. MASTER EIGHT and FIRE BALL were sent for sampling.