08/06/2019  Shatin  Race 10

After being loaded into the barriers, STAR OF YUEN LONG became fractious and reared on a number of occasions. As STAR OF YUEN LONG was being removed from the barriers to undergo a veterinary examination, CLASSIC POSH then became fractious and kicked out, resulting in the horse getting its left hind leg over the back gate. Then as STAR OF YUEN LONG was being removed from the barriers, that horse reared over and fell backwards, resulting in K C Leung being dislodged. STAR OF YUEN LONG was then quickly recaptured by the starting gate handlers. Acting on veterinary advice that STAR OF YUEN LONG was not suitable to race, it was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Also after being removed from the barriers, CLASSIC POSH was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse had sustained wounds to the left hind leg and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, CLASSIC POSH was also withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, both STAR OF YUEN LONG and CLASSIC POSH will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SHOUSON began only fairly and then was crowded for room between PING HAI GALAXY and KING OF HEARTS which shifted out. Near the 1150 Metres, DIAMOND BRILLIANT momentarily raced in restricted room between SPEEDY LUCK and GOLDEN SIXTY which was awkwardly placed inside BEAUTY SPARK. Then passing the 1100 Metres, GOLDEN SIXTY raced in restricted room between SPEEDY LUCK and BEAUTY SPARK which got its head on the side and shifted in away from PING HAI GALAXY. Passing the 500 Metres, BEAUTY SPARK shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of WINNING FEELING which made the Home Turn awkwardly. When BEAUTY SPARK shifted in, SPEEDY LUCK, which was racing to the inside of that horse, was bumped, causing both SPEEDY LUCK and BEAUTY SPARK to become unbalanced. BEAUTY SPARK then shifted out, resulting in GOLDEN SIXTY, which was improving to its outside, being taken out onto MR CROISSANT which then raced tight outside GOLDEN SIXTY as that horse improved further to the outside of PING HAI GALAXY. As BEAUTY SPARK endeavoured to improve between WINNING FEELING and PING HAI GALAXY approaching the 300 Metres, BEAUTY SPARK was checked when disappointed for running between WINNING FEELING which shifted out and PING HAI GALAXY which, after shifting out towards GOLDEN SIXTY, then became unbalanced after making contact with GOLDEN SIXTY and then was taken in by GOLDEN SIXTY which raced tight inside MR CROISSANT which shifted in marginally. As the Stewards were satisfied that there was no carelessness exhibited by any rider in this incident, no further action was taken. After the race, Z Purton stated that whilst BEAUTY SPARK suffered interference approaching the 300 Metres, the horse was reluctant to improve between runners and, in his opinion, was only going to finish off the race fairly. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY SPARK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, J Moreira (PING HAI GALAXY) stated that although the horse was required to race in a three wide position and without cover from approaching the 900 Metres, he was of the opinion that it was slightly disappointing as it did not quicken when asked and then did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of PING HAI GALAXY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GOLDEN SIXTY and MR CROISSANT were sent for sampling.