23/02/2020  Shatin  Race 1

FAIRY FLOSS shifted out at the start and bumped SPICY REALLY. MONEYMORE began awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in CAPTAIN BOSS losing ground when crowded for room inside YEE CHEONG LUCKY which became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by CAPTAIN BOSS. After this, despite being hard ridden, YEE CHEONG LUCKY failed to muster speed and then travelled wide and without cover until near the 700 Metres at which time MONEYMORE was left racing wide and without cover. After travelling a short distance, FLYING EMPEROR and GOOD CHOICE AHEAD were crowded for room between SPICY REALLY and BIG BULLY which shifted in before being taken in further by KEEP GOING which shifted in after racing tight inside MISCHIEVOUS SUNDAE which was awkwardly placed inside GENERAL TRUMP which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. In this incident, SPICY REALLY became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by FLYING EMPEROR. Approaching the 900 Metres, MISCHIEVOUS SUNDAE momentarily raced in restricted room inside MONEYMORE which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening to MISCHIEVOUS SUNDAE. Also approaching the 900 Metres, GOOD CHOICE AHEAD was crowded for room inside BIG BULLY which got its head on the side and shifted in away from the heels of KEEP GOING. GOOD CHOICE AHEAD then made the turn after the 900 Metres awkwardly and brushed the running rail. Rounding the Home Turn, FLYING EMPEROR commenced to give ground and then in the early part of the Straight gave further ground abruptly and finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of FLYING EMPEROR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Having regard to FLYING EMPEROR’s recent racing record, the margins that the horse had been beaten in those races and that FLYING EMPEROR was beaten 35 lengths in this event, the Stewards ruled that it must undergo a series of consecutive satisfactory barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination prior to being permitted to race again. Near the 250 Metres, KEEP GOING was steadied away from the heels of SPICY REALLY which shifted out under pressure. When questioned, M L Yeung stated that he was instructed to lead on FAIRY FLOSS. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode FAIRY FLOSS along in the early stages to obtain a forward position. He said both JIMSON THE DRAGON and ALL BEST FRIENDS maintained their position inside FAIRY FLOSS in the early stages and for this reason he had to ride his mount along for some distance to clear those horses. He said after obtaining the lead near the 900 Metres FAIRY FLOSS, which had blinkers reapplied today, over-raced and would not settle. He said he endeavoured to have the horse race more tractably, however, FAIRY FLOSS continued to travel strongly in the lead which resulted in the pace being faster than had been anticipated. A veterinary inspection of YEE CHEONG LUCKY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ALL BEST FRIENDS and GENERAL TRUMP were sent for sampling.