24/05/2020  Shatin  Race 7

After being loaded into the barriers, FAST PACE reared and then kicked out before getting its head down and forcing its way out under the front gates, riderless. FAST PACE then proceeded for a short distance before being recaptured. Acting on advice from the Veterinary Officer that FAST PACE was not suitable to race, it was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. The Veterinary Surgeon subsequently reported that FAST PACE was lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, FAST PACE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Z Purton was subsequently examined by the Chief Medical Officer and passed fit to fulfil his remaining race riding engagements. XPONENTIAL shifted in at the start, resulting in YEE CHEONG PEGASUS being crowded for room outside CIGAR BUDDIES which was leaning on the outside of its gate as the start was effected. SPARKLING STAR was bumped by HAPPILY FRIENDS on jumping. KA FORTUNE lost ground on jumping when crowded for room between LADY FIRST and MAJESTIC CONQUEROR which shifted in. MAJESTIC CONQUEROR was then bumped by TRUE LEGEND shortly after the start when that horse shifted in. From the outside barrier, VITAL SPRING was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 950 Metres, CIGAR BUDDIES, which was having its first race start, shifted out abruptly after being crossed by GARLIC HERO, resulting in YEE CHEONG PEGASUS and XPONENTIAL being hampered and taken wider. After this, YEE CHEONG PEGASUS was left racing wide and without cover. At the entrance to the Straight, VITAL SPRING was shifted out away from the heels of CIGAR BUDDIES. Passing the 150 Metres, SELL MY SOLE was awkwardly placed inside TRUE LEGEND which shifted in. When questioned, Apprentice C L Chau stated that he was instructed to ride XPONENTIAL positively and obtain a forward position. He said, despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, XPONENTIAL failed to muster speed and when racing further back in the field than had been intended was hampered and taken wider near the 900 Metres. He said rather than continue to race unnecessarily wide, he steadied XPONENTIAL to obtain a trailing position behind the ultimate winner YEE CHEONG PEGASUS. He added that he placed XPONENTIAL under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn, however, the horse did not respond to his riding and he felt that the circumstances of today’s race were the reason for the horse’s failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of XPONENTIAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SPARKLING STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. YEE CHEONG PEGASUS and HERO STAR were sent for sampling.