10/01/2021  Shatin  Race 8

SILVER FIG began awkwardly and stumbled at the start. At the 900 Metres, KEEP YOU WARM shifted in despite the efforts of its rider and made contact with SUPER ALLIANCES, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Making the first turn near the 700 Metres, SUPER POWER MAN lay in, resulting in EXCEED THE STARS and GUNNAR being momentarily crowded. Throughout the race, GOLFMAN STAR and CALIFORNIA GUNGHO travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, C Schofield stated that he had ridden SUPER POWER MAN in some of its work and, in his view, the horse does not seem to be going as well as it did last season when he was riding it. He said in today’s race he had to make a lot of use of SUPER POWER MAN to take up a forward position, however, the horse was always under pressure and subsequently weakened in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of SUPER POWER MAN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, Apprentice C L Chau stated that he was asked to ride KEEP YOU WARM as close to the lead as possible, however, the horse did not show any early speed despite being ridden along and was inclined to lay in. He said KEEP YOU WARM was then disappointing in its failure to finish off the race in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of KEEP YOU WARM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HARMONY AND RICH and EXCEED THE STARS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SUPER ALLIANCES immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg and an endoscopic examination also showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, SUPER ALLIANCES will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUPER ALLIANCES, SILVER FIG and GUNNAR were sent for sampling.