01/01/2019  Shatin  Race 8

KING OF HEARTS was crowded for room on jumping between LEAN PERFECTION which was awkwardly placed outside REGENCY LEGEND and LIMITLESS which initially shifted in and then was taken in marginally by HINCHINLOVE. After this, KING OF HEARTS was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. LIMITLESS travelled keenly in the early stages and got its head up on a number of occasions. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, SUMMER PASSAGE (D Whyte) got its head on the side, shifted out and bumped HINCHINLOVE. SUMMER PASSAGE and HINCHINLOVE then raced tight for some distance after the 700 Metres as a result of HINCHINLOVE shifting in marginally and SUMMER PASSAGE laying out. D Whyte stated that the horse felt very uncomfortable in its action and lay out badly making the turns. He said after balancing up SUMMER PASSAGE in the early part of the Straight, he was able to test his mount in the latter part of the Straight, however, the horse continued to lay out badly after the race. After the 600 Metres, LIMITLESS again commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of HINCHINLOVE. A short distance after this, LIMITLESS shifted out abruptly away from the heels of HINCHINLOVE, resulting in LEAN PERFECTION (U Rispoli) being bumped and forced wider. After the race, U Rispoli stated that when bumped in this incident, LEAN PERFECTION became unbalanced and then, despite being vigorously ridden rounding the Home Turn and in the Straight, did not respond and gave ground. A veterinary inspection of LEAN PERFECTION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of LEAN PERFECTION, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LEAN PERFECTION will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Rounding the Home Turn, NEW ASIA SUNRISE and MISSION TYCOON raced tight as MISSION TYCOON shifted out to obtain clear running. A veterinary inspection of HINCHINLOVE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on REGENCY LEGEND at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, REGENCY LEGEND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. REGENCY LEGEND and COUNTRY STAR were sent for sampling.