01/10/2021  Shatin  Race 9

SERIOUS LIAISON was withdrawn on 29.9.21 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (blood abnormality) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter KASI FARASI (A Hamelin). Before being allowed to race again, SERIOUS LIAISON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the saddling area, LAKESHORE EAGLE’s left front plate was adjusted. LAKESHORE EAGLE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. As the start was effected, SOULMATE, which was fractious, reared, resulting in the horse losing a significant amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, SOULMATE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. A veterinary inspection of SOULMATE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When SOULMATE reared, one of the starting gate handlers, which was assisting that horse, became unbalanced and as a result bumped K Teetan (LEAP OF FAITH) as that horse jumped away which resulted in K Teetan becoming very unbalanced and causing LEAP OF FAITH to begin awkwardly. LEAP OF FAITH was then hampered when crowded for room between TIANCHI MONSTER and CAPTAIN TIGER, both of which shifted ground. This resulted in LEAP OF FAITH racing back in the field. Whilst the Stewards formed the view that LEAP OF FAITH’s ability to jump on terms with the field had been compromised by K Teetan becoming unbalanced as a result of being bumped by the starting gate handler, acting under the provisions of Rule 12(19) which provides that no horse which is declared 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th place in a race is able to be declared a non-runner and having regard to LEAP OF FAITH having finished 3rd in the race, weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. From wide barriers, KASI FARASI and HELENE ALLIBOR were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After the 1300 Metres, HAPPY LAND was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, MISSION BRAVO travelled keenly in the lead. Passing the 800 Metres, CAPTAIN TIGER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SOULMATE which momentarily raced tight inside WIN WIN which in turn was racing tight inside HAPPY LAND which got its head on the side and lay in towards the heels of TIANCHI MONSTER. SOULMATE had difficulty obtaining clear running approaching the 300 Metres, The Veterinary Officer reported that LAKESHORE EAGLE (Apprentice C L Chau) was found to be marked following the race which he considered to be graded as mild. Apprentice Chau was fined the sum of $10,000. After the race, A Badel reported that at the 100 Metres, WIN WIN, which was not finishing off the race, became unbalanced in its action of its own accord. He said for this reason he did not ride the horse out over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of WIN WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, WIN WIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ALL FOR ST PAUL’S and TIANCHI MONSTER were sent for sampling.