11/01/2020  Shatin  Race 1

DECISIVE ACTION, which was fractious in the Parade Ring and which kicked a wall after leaving the Parade Ring, was examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the Start and found to be suitable to race. On arrival at the Start, it was noted that BRILLIANT had blood present at the mouth. An inspection of BRILLIANT by the Veterinary Officer found that horse to be suitable to race. CHARGE ON began awkwardly and lost ground. EIGHT TRIGRAMS shifted out at the start and bumped KA YING EXCELLENT which became unbalanced and in turn shifted out and made contact with LOTUS BREEZE, causing KA YING EXCELLENT to become further unbalanced. HARBOUR ALERT stumbled at the start. From wide barriers, DECISIVE ACTION and BRILLIANT were steadied shortly after the start and shifted across behind runners. After travelling a short distance, JUNEAU PARK shifted in and bumped SPEED FAY FAY. After initially being ridden along from a wide barrier, KA FORTUNE failed to muster speed and after travelling a short distance was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. WAYFOONG STAR travelled keenly in the lead in the early and middle stages. EIGHT TRIGRAMS was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. SPICY REALLY had difficulty obtaining a clear run in the early part of the Straight and passing the 200 Metres was shifted to the inside of JUNEAU PARK to obtain clear running. Near the 150 Metres, COLORADO HIGH raced tight inside the hindquarters of KA YING EXCELLENT. Throughout the race, HARBOUR ALERT travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of HARBOUR ALERT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of HARBOUR ALERT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HARBOUR ALERT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. H W Lai (KA FORTUNE) was fined the sum of $5,000 for using the whip on a horse out of contention. As this was the second occasion that H W Lai had been penalized for this breach of the Rules, he was placed on notice that should he offend again in the future, further disciplinary action may be taken. A veterinary inspection of KA FORTUNE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WAYFOONG STAR, BRILLIANT and JUNEAU PARK were sent for sampling.