01/01/2023  Shatin  Race 4

BLAZING SUN began only fairly. STARRY NIGHT was crowded for room on jumping between MEGA BONUS and VICTORY SCHOLARS, both of which shifted ground. HAPPY TRIO shifted out at the start and inconvenienced THUNDERBOLTAURUS which was then steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. CALIFORNIA FOREST was steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. BLAZING SUN had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Approaching the 200 Metres, SUPREME LUCKY shifted in abruptly. Close to the finishing line, HAPPY FOREVER and BLAZING SUN bumped. When questioned, C L Chau stated that he was asked to be positive on MARVEL DRAGON from the outside barrier in the early stages and obtain a forward position with cover if possible. He said he was also told that it was acceptable to lead the race if he was unable to obtain cover. He said these instructions were consistent with those that he received when riding MARVEL DRAGON at its last start. He added that on that occasion MARVEL DRAGON began well and he allowed the horse the opportunity to show natural speed in the early stages, however, when horses drawn inside MARVEL DRAGON were holding their positions, he elected to shift MARVEL DRAGON across behind those horses to obtain cover which resulted in MARVEL DRAGON racing further back in the field than had been hoped. He added that in today’s race he rode his mount along in the early stages with a view to crossing HAPPY FOREVER and possibly obtaining cover behind the leaders. He said when HAPPY FOREVER maintained its position inside MARVEL DRAGON and when his mount which was not showing sufficient speed to be further forward than it was in today’s race, MARVEL DRAGON was left racing wide and without cover throughout. After the race, SUPREME LUCKY was noted to have blood in its mouth. A veterinary inspection of MEGA BONUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of STARRY NIGHT 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, STARRY NIGHT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUPREME LUCKY and BABY CRYSTAL were sent for sampling.