04/05/2022  Shatin  Race 5

MOERAKI stumbled badly at the start. THE MULTIPLIER shifted out on jumping and bumped the hindquarters of E BROTHER. THE MULTIPLIER then lost ground when crowded for room between E BROTHER and BIG HAPPINESS which shifted out. From a wide barrier, OVERSUBCRIBED was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being vigorously ridden for a considerable distance in the early stages, COOLCELEB failed to muster speed. Near the 900 Metres, MOERAKI was awkwardly placed outside the heels of BIG HAPPINESS when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse. Shortly after entering the Straight, SUPER WIN DRAGON and MOERAKI bumped, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Passing the 200 Metres, THE MULTIPLIER was shifted out away from the heels of HAPPY TANGO which was giving ground. THE MULTIPLIER was then shifted out further away from behind YELLOWFIN near the 150 Metres to obtain clear running. Over the latter stages, NOBODY KNOWS raced with its head on the side and lay out under pressure. Throughout the race, E BROTHER and WHISKEY NEAT travelled wide and without cover. After the race, K C Leung stated that after being crossed by E BROTHER approaching the 800 Metres, BIG HAPPINESS resented the kickback and then gave ground in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of BIG HAPPINESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of BIG HAPPINESS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BIG HAPPINESS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, Z Purton stated that YELLOWFIN travelled very strongly in a forward position and after coming under pressure passing the 400 Metres then weakened out of the race over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of YELLOWFIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, L Hewitson said that HAPPY TANGO travelled very well in the early and middle stages and after placing the horse under pressure rounding the Home Turn, he anticipated that it would finish the race off strongly. He said however that HAPPY TANGO immediately came off the bridle on entering the Straight and then was very disappointing in its failure to close the race off over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY TANGO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of WHISKEY NEAT immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, WHISKEY NEAT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Following the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on COOLCELEB at the request of Trainer T P Yung. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. E BROTHER, LADY FIRST and SUPER WIN DRAGON were sent for sampling.