24/12/2022  Shatin  Race 9

PRECISE EXPRESS missed the start. SO WE JOY was slow to begin. EVERYONE’S VICTORY jumped awkwardly, making contact with the outside of the barriers. SNAFFLES was crowded for room shortly after the start between EVERYONE’S VICTORY and ROYAL BOMB, both of which shifted ground before being straightened. After this, SNAFFLES was shifted across behind runners. From the outside barrier, LA CITY BLANCHE was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Leaving the Home Straight on the first occasion near the 1300 Metres, PRECISE EXPRESS was severely checked as a result of HAVA NAGEELA shifting in when having to be restrained off the heels of AMAZING TEENS (H W Lai) which was also being eased in an endeavour to obtain cover one horse off the rail behind SUPER KING. As a result of this incident, HAVA NAGEELA was hampered. YES WE CAN and SO WE JOY, which were following, were also eased in consequence. Whilst the degree of interference suffered by PRECISE EXPRESS was severe, when considering all the circumstances, the Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that the incident was totally attributable to the actions of H W Lai. In those circumstances, the Stewards were of the view that H W Lai be given the benefit of the doubt, however, he was reprimanded for restraining his mount when shifting in. ROYAL BOMB raced three wide and without cover until near the 700 Metres. HAVA NAGEELA was held up rounding the Home Turn before obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. HANDSOME TWELVE lay in in the Straight. Throughout the race, EVERYONE’S VICTORY travelled wide and without cover. The performance of PRECISE EXPRESS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PRECISE EXPRESS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SNAFFLES immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a small cut to the outside of the left front pastern. A veterinary inspection of SUPER KING and EVERYONE’S VICTORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HANDSOME TWELVE and CHANCHENG PRINCE were sent for sampling.