26/03/2023  Shatin  Race 1

YOO YOO KNIGHT was withdrawn on 25.3.23 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter LUCKY ETERNITY (H Bentley). Before being allowed to race again, YOO YOO KNIGHT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CLASSIC MOON jumped only fairly and then shortly after the start was hampered when crowded between SIGHT HERO and FIGHTING STAR which, after bumping with CAMINO, shifted in. In this incident, CAMINO became unbalanced. HAPPY SOUL shifted out on jumping and bumped LUCKY ETERNITY and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. DIAMOND FOREVER jumped only fairly and near the 1000 Metres was momentarily steadied to avoid the heels of BEAT HOLLOW when that runner shifted in. Near the 800 Metres, CAMINO (K Teetan), which was racing greenly, was steadied to avoid DIAMOND FOREVER which shifted in. After the race, K Teetan reported that CAMINO hung in when placed under pressure in the Straight and proved difficult to ride out. A veterinary inspection of CAMINO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. In the middle stages, FIGHTING STAR raced keenly and near the 700 Metres was steadied away from COLONEL. Near the 600 Metres, HAPPY SOUL was steadied when disappointed for running between FUN TOGETHER and CAMINO which shifted out whilst hanging. A short distance later, HAPPY SOUL shifted out and bumped FUN TOGETHER to obtain clear running. Near the 200 Metres, LUCKY ETERNITY became held up when positioned behind GOLDEN LUCK and then had difficulty obtaining clear running between the 200 Metres and the 125 Metres between GOLDEN LUCK and HAPPY SOUL. Near the 150 Metres, BEAT HOLLOW, which was giving ground, was steadied when crowded by SIGHT HERO (H Bowman) which shifted in and away from FIGHTING STAR after improving into a narrow run to the inside of FIGHTING STAR. H Bowman was advised to exercise more care. GOLDEN LUCK raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. After the race, L Hewitson could offer no explanation for the disappointing performance of HAPPY SOUL. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY SOUL 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, HAPPY SOUL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY ETERNITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. COLONEL, SIGHT HERO and HONG KONG HALL were sent for sampling.