15/01/2023  Shatin  Race 10

NAVAS TWO began only fairly. WINNER METHOD shifted out at the start and bumped CAN’T GO WONG. WINNING METHOD shifted out on jumping and brushed BEAUTY LIVE. From a wide barrier, GALAXY WITNESS was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. After the 1100 Metres, TUCHEL was left racing wide and without cover. After the 1000 Metres, WINNING METHOD commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when awkwardly placed behind MR ASCENDENCY which near the 850 Metres was steadied away from the heels of KING LAND which shifted out. A PAL was held up for clear running from on straightening until passing the 300 Metres. After the race, K C Leung reported that A PAL made an abnormal breathing noise in the early part of the Straight. A veterinary inspection of A PAL immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. Near the 350 Metres, GALAXY WITNESS was shifted out abruptly away from the heels of BEAUTY LIVE to obtain clear running. Also after the race, R Maia reported that NAVAS TWO coughed passing the winning post. A veterinary inspection of NAVAS TWO immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. The performance of NAVAS TWO, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, NAVAS TWO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, K Teetan stated that he was provided with two sets of instructions on how to ride BEAUTY LIVE in today’s race. He said if BEAUTY LIVE began well, he was told to be positive on the horse in the early stages and obtain a position behind the lead if possible, however, he was told that if BEAUTY LIVE did not begin well, he should shift his mount across behind runners and obtain cover rather than ride it along as BEAUTY LIVE had previously performed well when ridden from back in the field. He said when BEAUTY LIVE began only fairly today and having regard to the manner in which horses which were better drawn than BEAUTY LIVE had begun, he believed that he would have had to make considerable use of BEAUTY LIVE to cross WINNING METHOD to the inside of BEAUTY LIVE and then to cross runners which were drawn closer to the rail. He said he therefore elected to shift his mount across behind runners in the hope of obtaining cover behind TUCHEL. He added when TIANCHI MONSTER maintained its position three wide to the inside of BEAUTY LIVE, he was concerned that if TUCHEL was able to shift in to a three wide position, BEAUTY LIVE would be left racing very wide and without cover in a position worse than midfield and therefore he made the decision to steady his mount and shift across to race behind TIANCHI MONSTER rather than covering unnecessary ground. He said these circumstances resulted in BEAUTY LIVE racing towards the rear of the field. Following the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on WINNER METHOD at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, WINNER METHOD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TUCHEL and GALAXY WITNESS were sent for sampling.