12/06/2019  Shatin  Race 7

On arrival at the Start, K C Leung expressed concern regarding the action of FIGHT HERO. After being examined by the Veterinary Officer, FIGHT HERO was found to be lame in its right hind leg and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, FIGHT HERO was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, FIGHT HERO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BIG TIME BABY began only fairly. From wide barriers, FORTUNE BOOTH and FANTASTIC FEELING were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Passing the 1000 Metres, BIG TIME BABY commenced to prove difficult to settle. BIG TIME BABY then continued to travel keenly and approaching the 800 Metres shifted out away from the heels of SPEED VISION. Then making the turn near the 700 Metres, BIG TIME BABY shifted out, struck the heels of UGLY WARRIOR and blundered badly, resulting in BIG TIME BABY losing ground. When BIG TIME BABY was checked, RAGING BLITZKRIEG, which was following that horse, was shifted out, resulting in ROYAL PERFORMER being inconvenienced. After the race, it was reported that UGLY WARRIOR had sustained an abrasion to the left hind gaskin. Throughout the race, JUMBO LUCK travelled wide and without cover and near the 250 Metres was momentarily crowded for room between PICK NUMBER ONE and RAGING BLITZKRIEG, both of which shifted ground. K Teetan was fined $5,000 for dropping his whip on UGLY WARRIOR approaching the 150 Metres. K Teetan was placed on notice that this was the 5th occasion this season that he had been reported to have dropped his whip in races. He was told that should he offend again prior to the end of the season, the Stewards may consider a more significant penalty. When questioned regarding his riding of FANTASTIC FEELING, M L Yeung stated that he was instructed to shift his mount across behind runners in the early stages and to shift it out rounding the Home Turn to close off the race. He said FANTASTIC FEELING began awkwardly and he then commenced to shift the horse across behind runners in the early stages as instructed. He said as FANTASTIC FEELING became somewhat detached from the field, he commenced to ride his mount along after the 1000 Metres to improve his position. He said he commenced to shift in making the turn near the 700 Metre, however, he received a call from the rider of FORTUNE BOOTH and therefore was required to remain racing to the outside of that horse. He said he rode his mount along hands and heels in the middle stages whilst slapping the horse down the shoulder repeatedly with the whip in the right hand. He said FANTASTIC FEELING did not quicken and in the early part of the Straight, despite being ridden along hands and heels, did not improve its position on the remainder of the field. He added as FANTASTIC FEELING was out of contention and was not, in his opinion, finishing off the race, he eased it down over the final 100 Metres. M L Yeung was advised that he must ride his mounts with sufficient purpose and vigour so as to ensure that his riding does not come under notice. After the race, Z Purton stated that LEAN PERFECTION was able to improve its position inside BIG TIME BABY when that horse shifted out making the turn near the 700 Metres. He said after initially quickening satisfactorily to obtain that run, LEAN PERFECTION momentarily raced tight inside BIG TIME BABY approaching and passing the 500 Metres. He said however the horse was reluctant to stretch out and did not finish off the race. He added he noted that LEAN PERFECTION did not trial impressively in the lead up to tonight’s race on a similarly rain affected surface. A veterinary inspection of LEAN PERFECTION immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, LEAN PERFECTION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. UGLY WARRIOR and RAGING BLITZKRIEG were sent for sampling.