01/04/2020  Shatin  Race 3

MASTER BERNINI was withdrawn on 31.3.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SUN FOXHUNTER (V Borges). GOOD FIT began only fairly. KEEP WINNING and HAY RUN were crowded for room on jumping between SUN FOXHUNTER and CHARITYDREAM which shifted out. BLINK OF A SECOND began very awkwardly and then lost further ground when checked away from the heels of CHAPARRAL STAR which got its head on the side and shifted out abruptly. After this, from wide barriers, both CHAPARRAL STAR and BLINK OF A SECOND were shifted across behind runners. Also from a wide barrier, THE FULL BLOOM was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Approaching the 1200 Metres, HAY RUN was momentarily crowded for room inside HIDDEN SPIRIT which lay in before being directed out to relieve the tightening to HAY RUN. Near the 700 Metres, WINNERS BROTHER and CURLING LUXURY raced tight. Passing the 400 Metres, HAY RUN was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CURLING LUXURY and at the entrance to the Straight was shifted out away from behind that horse to obtain clear running. Throughout the race, SUN FOXHUNTER travelled wide and without cover and consequently finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of SUN FOXHUNTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SUN FOXHUNTER was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUN FOXHUNTER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The performance of BLINK OF A SECOND, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BLINK OF A SECOND will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of BLINK OF A SECOND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, Z Purton (CURLING LUXURY) stated that he rode his mount positively from a wide barrier in the early stages to take up a forward position. He said CURLING LUXURY did not show sufficient speed to be able to clear a number of runners to its inside and passing the 1400 Metres was left racing very wide. He said for this reason after the 1400 Metres he steadied CURLING LUXURY to obtain cover which resulted in the horse racing further back in the field than had been anticipated. He added whilst he was of the view that CURLING LUXURY not being able to take up a forward position was the principal reason for the horse’s failure to finish off the race, he believed that CURLING LUXURY did not handle the track conditions as it did not seem to travel comfortably throughout the race. A veterinary inspection of CURLING LUXURY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HIDDEN SPIRIT and KA YING BRILLIANCE were sent for sampling. <2/4/2020 Additional Veterinary Report>SUN FOXHUNTER, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. SUN FOXHUNTER was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer K W Lui this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in right hind leg. As previously advised, SUN FOXHUNTER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.