12/04/2020  Shatin  Race 3

ROMANTIC JOURNEY, first Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 9.4.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore left hind fetlock). CHAPARRAL STAR, second Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 11.4.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore). Before being allowed to race again, ROMANTIC JOURNEY and CHAPARRAL STAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. AMAZING AGILITY shifted out at the start and bumped GOLDEN KID which resulted in GOLDEN KID being hampered and AMAZING AGILITY stumbling. CHIU CHOW KID, AEROFLASH and REEVE’S MUNTJAC were slow to begin. From wide barriers, GOLDEN KID and SKY GEM were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being ridden along for some distance after the start, FORTUNE PATROL failed to muster speed. When being shifted across behind runners from the outside barrier, GOLDEN GENERAL travelled keenly in the early stages and got its head up on a number of occasions. Approaching the 100 Metres, GOLDEN KID was bumped by REEVE’S MUNTJAC which shifted to the outside of MASTER ROMAN to obtain clear running. Then close to the finishing line, REEVE’S MUNTJAC was awkwardly placed outside MASTER ROMAN. When questioned regarding the performance of AMAZING AGILITY, Z Purton stated that AMAZING AGILITY stumbled at the start and he felt that the horse may have got on itself when this happened. He said after being left racing wide and without cover near the 1400 Metres, his mount lay out and was not comfortable in its action throughout the race. He said he slapped the horse down the shoulder on a number of occasions making the turn near the 900 Metres to have it maintain its position and make the turn better. He added AMAZING AGILITY continued to lay out and came under pressure prior to the 700 Metres. He said despite riding his mount along, AMAZING AGILITY commenced to give ground passing the 600 Metres and he checked the horse on a number of occasions prior to the 500 Metres as he felt that AMAZING AGILITY may have bled. He added AMAZING AGILITY continued to give ground rounding the Home Turn and as the horse was well beaten he eased it down over the last 300 Metres. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING AGILITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of AMAZING AGILITY was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, AMAZING AGILITY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, it was noted that MONEY MARSHAL had blood present at the right nostril. An endoscopic examination of MONEY MARSHAL found that horse not to have bled. MCMUNIGAL and VICTORIOUS SEEKER were sent for sampling.