29/12/2019  Shatin  Race 2

DRAGON WARRIOR was withdrawn on 28.12.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter MI BLANCO (A Badel). Before being allowed to race again, DRAGON WARRIOR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SKY GEM was crowded for room on jumping between KEEP WINNING and ASSOCIATION FANS which shifted in. After this, both KEEP WINNING and SKY GEM were steadied to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, MI BLANCO was steadied and shifted across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, MASTER BERNINI was shifted out away from the heels of SUPER RED DRAGON when racing tight outside that horse. Also passing the winning post on the first occasion, BOND ELEGANCE was bumped by ASSOCIATION FANS which shifted out after making contact with WINNING CIRCLE. BOND ELEGANCE lost its right front plate near the 1500 Metres. Passing the 500 Metres, MI BLANCO and HIDDEN SPIRIT raced tight as HIDDEN SPIRIT shifted out. Then approaching the 400 Metres, MI BLANCO became unbalanced after being bumped by HIDDEN SPIRIT. At the 400 Metres, SKY GEM was shifted in away from the heels of WINNING CIRCLE. Shortly after straightening, OUR GREEN was shifted out away from the heels of SUNNY MAJOR to obtain clear running. Over the concluding stages, HIDDEN SPIRIT raced tight inside MI BLANCO. Throughout the race, BOND ELEGANCE travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. It was reported that after returning to the stables BOND ELEGANCE was found to have bled from both nostrils. A subsequent endoscopic examination of BOND ELEGANCE confirmed that the horse had bled and accordingly BOND ELEGANCE was deemed to have bled for the first time. After the race, M F Poon reported that it was intended for CORRE RAPIDO to obtain a forward position. He said after riding his mount along in the early stages, he was aware that there were a number of runners being ridden to obtain a forward position which were better drawn than CORRE RAPIDO and he felt that he would have had to make too much use of the horse in an attempt to cross those runners. He said he therefore elected to steady CORRE RAPIDO and obtain a trailing position passing the winning post on the first occasion when racing very wide. M L Yeung stated that after riding WINNING CIRCLE along for a considerable distance in the early stages, the horse did not have sufficient speed to be able to lead the race as had been hoped. He said he was therefore obliged to obtain a trailing position with WINNING CIRCLE approaching the 1400 Metres. He said when required to race in behind runners, WINNING CIRCLE did not travel strongly and then failed to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of WINNING CIRCLE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MASTER BERNINI, KEEP WINNING and SUPER RED DRAGON were sent for sampling. <30/12/2019 Additional Veterinary Report>The Veterinary Surgeon reported that BOND ELEGANCE, which had bled after returning to the stables, was found to have injured its right front suspensory ligament and to be lame in its right front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, BOND ELEGANCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.