23/02/2020  Shatin  Race 9

LOOKING GOOD was withdrawn on 21.2.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (colic) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter FLYING ON THE TURF (K C Leung). Before being allowed to race again, LOOKING GOOD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GAMEPLAYER TIMES was crowded for room on jumping between HIGH RISE SOLDIER and SEATTLE CHOICE, both of which shifted ground. SUNSHINE WARRIOR shifted in at the start and bumped SALTO OLIMPICO. FLYING ON THE TURF shifted in at the start and bumped UNICORNBABY which in turn shifted in and made contact with CHARIZARD which became unbalanced and in turn shifted in and brushed the hindquarters of FOLLOW ME which also became unbalanced. After this, FOLLOW ME and CHARIZARD were steadied to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, HANG’S DECISION was also steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. For some distance passing the 1000 Metres, HOME MADE proved very difficult to settle and making the turn near the 900 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of TAKE WHAT YOU NEED (H Bowman) which shifted in when not properly clear. H Bowman was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground. Passing the 900 Metres, CHARIZARD, which was racing keenly, was steadied away from the heels of SUNSHINE WARRIOR. After the 900 Metres, UNICORNBABY was left racing wide and without cover. After the 700 Metres, HOME MADE and SUNSHINE WARRIOR raced tight as HOME MADE, which was continuing to travel keenly, attempted to shift out away from the heels of TAKE WHAT YOU NEED. This resulted in HOME MADE being awkwardly placed behind TAKE WHAT YOU NEED for some distance approaching the 600 Metres due to SUNSHINE WARRIOR maintaining its position outside HOME MADE. In this incident, SUNSHINE WARRIOR became unbalanced due to pressure on its hindquarters from HOME MADE. CHARIZARD, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of SUNSHINE WARRIOR approaching the 600 Metres. FOLLOW ME, which was following CHARIZARD, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Near the 350 Metres, TAKE WHAT YOU NEED was held up for clear running when racing in restricted room between HIGH RISE SOLDIER and FLYING ON THE TURF. A veterinary inspection of CHARIZARD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of SUNSHINE WARRIOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GLENEALY GENERALS immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left hind leg. Before being allowed to race again, GLENEALY GENERALS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SEATTLE CHOICE and TAKE WHAT YOU NEED were sent for sampling.