24/09/2023  Shatin  Race 4

EL VALIENTE was withdrawn on 21.9.23 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (right front tendon injury). Before being allowed to race again, EL VALIENTE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SPECIAL HEDGE jumped only fairly and then was bumped by BEAR SLAM which shifted out. RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE and DARCI LEGEND bumped at the start. DARCI LEGEND then raced keenly in the early stages. From the 1000 Metres, BOOM ALLIANCE raced wide and without cover. RELIABLE PROFIT raced keenly in the middle stages. Approaching the 400 Metres, DARCI LEGEND was steadied when crowded by SPECIAL HEDGE (C L Chau) which shifted out and away from RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE after being taken out by that horse. C L Chau was advised to exercise more care. The performances of SPECIAL HEDGE and GOLD STERLING, both of which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SPECIAL HEDGE and GOLD STERLING will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SPECIAL HEDGE and GOLD STERLING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, Z Purton (BILLIONAIRE SECRET) reported that from the outside barrier he was requested to ride his mount conservatively in the early stages. He said after obtaining a position on the rail approaching the first turn, his mount travelled comfortably in the middle stages. He added that from the 600 Metres he was held up behind RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE and for this reason could not obtain clear running until near the 400 Metres. He further stated that he had been asked to take inside runs to save ground, therefore he elected to improve to the inside rather than looking to obtain clear running out wide. Trainer P C Ng confirmed the instructions issued. A veterinary inspection of BILLIONAIRE SECRET immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FAST BUCK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BILLIONAIRE SECRET, BEAR SLAM and MISSION BRAVO were sent for sampling.