27/06/2020  Shatin  Race 9

XANTHUS was withdrawn on 26.6.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inappetence) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter CHAIRMAN LO (J Moreira). Before being allowed to race again, XANTHUS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BEAUTY SPIRIT began only fairly and then was bumped by JOYFUL HEART which shifted out. After this, despite being ridden along, BEAUTY SPIRIT failed to muster speed. FLYING ON THE TURF shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of TURIN REDSTAR which became unbalanced and shifted out, resulting in HELLO BEAUTY racing tight inside KASI FARASI which was racing tight inside COBY OPPA. From a wide barrier, WIN WIN was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After travelling a short distance, FLYING ON THE TURF shifted in and brushed CRAIG’S STAR. After the 1200 Metres, ALCARI commenced to travel keenly, shifted out and bumped KASI FARASI. At the entrance to the Straight, FLYING ON THE TURF got its head on the side, lay in and made contact with JOYFUL HEART. CHAIRMAN LO, which was racing to the inside of JOYFUL HEART, was inconvenienced in consequence. Passing the 400 Metres, THE HULK raced in restricted room when improving between KASI FARASI and WIN WIN. After the 200 Metres, HELLO BEAUTY shifted out and bumped KASI FARASI. Throughout the race, HELLO BEAUTY travelled wide and without cover. The performance of FLYING ON THE TURF, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FLYING ON THE TURF will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the improved performance of ALCARI, Trainer P F Yiu stated that he had been disappointed with ALCARI’s recent races and for this reason, following its last start disappointing run, he sent the horse to Conghua in an attempt to revitalize it. He said at its last start he dropped the horse back in distance significantly to 1000 Metres in an attempt to switch the horse on mentally as its previous two runs at Happy Valley over 1650 Metres were very disappointing. He said since returning the horse to Conghua he had received positive feedback from his stable staff regarding ALCARI’s training and therefore he elected to enter the horse for today’s race as he believed that although this was the first occasion that ALCARI was successful over 1400 Metres, he is of the opinion that the horse is suited by the distance. He added, based on the feedback from his stable staff in Conghua, he anticipated that ALCARI would race better than it had done of late and as such, whilst he was surprised at today’s success, he did anticipate that the horse would improve its performance. A veterinary inspection of HELLO BEAUTY and KASI FARASI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CRAIG’S STAR, ALCARI and JOYFUL HEART were sent for sampling.