17/11/2019  Shatin  Race 9

RED DESERT shifted out at the start and bumped AEROHAPPINESS. PERFECT MATCH began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped VOYAGE WARRIOR which was taken in onto BEAUTY AMIGO, causing BEAUTY AMIGO and RAGING STORM to be crowded for room. From the outside barrier, SUNSET WATCH was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 1000 Metres, BEAUTY AMIGO commenced to prove very difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of RED DESERT which was being steadied to allow VOYAGE WARRIOR to cross. After the 900 Metres, PRANCE DRAGON commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of BIG TIME BABY. Then passing the 800 Metres, PRANCE DRAGON, which continued to be checked away from the heels of BIG TIME BABY, shifted out away from the heels of that horse, causing BEAUTY AMIGO to be checked near the 750 Metres. As a result of this incident, BUTTERFIELD, which was trailing BEAUTY AMIGO, was also checked to avoid the heels of BEAUTY AMIGO. Passing the 600 Metres, BEAUTY AMIGO and RAGING STORM raced tight. Passing the 300 Metres, C Schofield (RAGING STORM) dropped his whip. Near the 250 Metres, VOYAGE WARRIOR lay out and raced tight inside the hindquarters of BIG TIME BABY. After this, VOYAGE WARRIOR continued to be very awkwardly placed inside the heels of BIG TIME BABY and as K Teetan, the rider of VOYAGE WARRIOR, attempted to shift it away from the heels of BIG TIME BABY, MR CROISSANT (C Y Ho) shifted out, resulting in VOYAGE WARRIOR being checked away from the heels of MR CROISSANT. C Y Ho was advised that due to the racing manners of VOYAGE WARRIOR in the lead up to this incident, he was given the benefit of the doubt as to whether his riding of MR CROISSANT was the principal cause for VOYAGE WARRIOR having to be checked. Nonetheless C Y Ho was severely reprimanded and told that in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mounts so as to prevent them from shifting ground and contributing to interference. Throughout the race, PERFECT MATCH travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of VOYAGE WARRIOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of AEROHAPPINESS 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, AEROHAPPINESS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BIG PARTY, MR CROISSANT and WATER DIVINER were sent for sampling.