16/04/2022  Shatin  Race 10

SUPER WINNER was noted to have a small amount of blood in the mouth when in the Parade Ring. On arrival at the Start, SUPER WINNER was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that the horse was suitable to race. EMERGING lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently was slow to begin. After this, from a wide barrier, EMERGING was shifted across behind runners. From the outside barrier, THE HULK was steadied shortly after the start and shifted across behind runners. COPARTNER AMBITION was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. At the entrance to the Straight, DECRYPT was awkwardly placed behind KILINDINI. SAUVESTRE had some difficulty obtaining clear running passing the 400 Metres. COPARTNER AMBITION had some difficulty obtaining clear running approaching and passing the 200 Metres and after the 150 Metres was shifted to the outside of RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE to obtain clear running. Close to the finishing line, COPARTNER AMBITION was awkwardly placed outside the heels of RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE. Because of this, COPARTNER AMBITION was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. Throughout the race, COMPASSION SPIRIT travelled wide and without cover. After the race, H Bentley was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of SUPER WINNER. He said although he had to make more use of the horse in the early stages than hoped in order to cross HARMONY WIN WIN to his inside, he felt that SUPER WINNER was travelling well enough in the middle stages to finish the race off. He said SUPER WINNER came under pressure shortly after entering the Straight and after giving a limited response in the early part of the Straight was then disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race over the final 200 Metres. A veterinary inspection of SUPER WINNER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered if HEZA BEAUTY had been afforded a fair start. After viewing the videos, it was established that as the start was effected HEZA BEAUTY reared abruptly and sat down, resulting in its rider, B Shinn, being dislodged. As the Stewards were of the opinion that HEZA BEAUTY had caused its own issues simultaneously with the start being effected, they formed the view that the horse had been afforded a fair start and accordingly was deemed to be a runner. After this incident, HEZA BEAUTY was noted to have blood at both nostrils. An endoscopic examination of HEZA BEAUTY found that there was no blood in the horse’s trachea and accordingly the blood at its nostrils was as a result of trauma caused as a result of the horse striking its head when rearing. As such, HEZA BEAUTY was not deemed to have bled. Having regard to HEZA BEAUTY’s record in respect of barrier behaviour, the Stewards ruled that that horse must perform satisfactorily in a series of consecutive barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination prior to being permitted to race again. A veterinary inspection of KILINDINI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SAUVESTRE, DECRYPT and SUPER DYNAMITE were sent for sampling.