22/05/2022  Shatin  Race 8

STORM LEGEND was hampered on jumping by GOLDEN EMPIRE which shifted out. From wide barriers, BAND OF BROTHERS and CIRCUIT STELLAR were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. RUNNING AHEAD was also steadied shortly after the start to obtain cover. Passing the 1100 Metres, TEMPEST EXPRESS got its head up when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed behind COMPASSION SPIRIT. Near the 250 Metres, BAND OF BROTHERS was shifted out away from the heels of TEMPEST EXPRESS which was taken out by COMPASSION SPIRIT which shifted out away from STORM LEGEND. Prior to the declaration of weighed-in, the Stewards considered if a protest/objection should be lodged on behalf of the connections of PRIVATE ROCKET. The Stewards ascertained that over the concluding stages ORIENTAL SMOKE, which was finishing the race off, improved to be racing inside PRIVATE ROCKET and then very close to the finishing line shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of that horse, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Having regard to the manner in which the two horses were finishing the race off and that the incident occurred very close to the finishing line, the Stewards elected not to proceed to a formal protest/objection hearing. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on RUNNING AHEAD at the request of Trainer T P Yung. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, RUNNING AHEAD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of TEMPEST EXPRESS and CIRCUIT STELLAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BEAUTY LIVE and GOLDEN EMPIRE were sent for sampling.