01/01/2023  Shatin  Race 1

FELIX THE KING began only fairly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. DIAMOND SOARS began very awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of RUN RUN GOOD. DIAMOND SOARS and RUN RUN GOOD were then crowded for room between BUDDY SPIRIT which shifted in and JIANGXI STAMINA which shifted out after being bumped by EMBARKED which began awkwardly. ONE STEP AHEAD shifted out on jumping and bumped QUORUM. SURE WINNER was bumped on jumping by FORTUNE TURBO which shifted in. Near the 1350 Metres, BUDDY SPIRIT lost ground when crowded for room between RUN RUN GOOD which was racing tight outside DIAMOND SOARS and DAZZLING FELLOW which got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. When racing tight inside RUN RUN GOOD, DIAMOND SOARS became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by that horse. Then near the 1250 Metres, BUDDY SPIRIT became unbalanced when awkwardly placed behind RUN RUN GOOD. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, QUORUM was left racing wide and without cover. After the 600 Metres, FORTUNE TURBO came under heavy pressure and then in the Straight gave ground and finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of FORTUNE TURBO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. As this was the second consecutive occasion that FORTUNE TURBO had tailed out in its races, the horse will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a series of consecutive barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. Making the Home Turn, FOXHUNTER WAY got its head on the side and lay out. ONE STEP AHEAD was held up for clear running from on straightening until approaching the 200 Metres at which time the horse was shifted in away from the heels of EMBARKED after being awkwardly placed behind that horse. ONE STEP AHEAD then lay out over the concluding stages. In the early part of the Straight, DAZZLING FELLOW lay in under pressure and proved reluctant to shift to the outside of FOXHUNTER WAY. Passing the 300 Metres, JIANGXI STAMINA improved into tight running between U W BROTHER and EMBARKED. U W BROTHER was then eased away from the heels of JIANGXI STAMINA approaching the 200 Metres. KARUIZAWA, which was following U W BROTHER, was inconvenienced in consequence and shifted in. FELIX THE KING, which was following KARUIZAWA, was then shifted away from behind SURE WINNER passing the 200 Metres as that horse gave ground. After the race, K C Leung stated that stepping up to 1400 Metres today for the first occasion, DIAMOND SOARS travelled too keenly in the lead before giving ground in the Straight and finishing tailed out. A veterinary inspection of DIAMOND SOARS immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. The performance of DIAMOND SOARS was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DIAMOND SOARS 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 U W BROTHER 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, U W BROTHER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. EMBARKED, JIANGXI STAMINA and DAZZLING FELLOW were sent for sampling.