12/07/2020  Shatin  Race 9

GOOD STANDING was withdrawn on 9.7.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore). DRAGON GENERAL shifted in at the start and bumped the hindquarters of MONGOLIAN KING which became unbalanced. SUPER OASIS shifted out at the start and bumped FANTASY. YOUNG LEGEND began awkwardly and then was checked away from the heels of BEAUTY APPLAUSE which shifted out abruptly. From the outside barrier, TRANSCENDENT was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After originally attempting to obtain cover passing the 1200 Metres, YOUNG LEGEND was left racing wide and without cover near the 1100 Metres and was then allowed to improve its position passing the 1000 Metres to race outside the lead. Passing the 550 Metres, FANTASY was steadied away from the heels of SUPER OASIS which shifted to the outside of BEAUTY RUSH as AMAZING CHOCOLATE improved quickly around FANTASY. DRAGON GENERAL had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. When questioned regarding the performance of AMAZING CHOCOLATE, K Teetan stated that, from a wide barrier, he was able to shift AMAZING CHOCOLATE across behind runners in the early stages and obtain a good trailing position three wide but with cover behind FANTASY. He said passing the 1000 Metres FANTASY lost ground which resulted in AMAZING CHOCOLATE having to be checked out away from the heels of that horse. He said this resulted in AMAZING CHOCOLATE commencing to travel keenly and improving to be racing outside the heels of FANTASY. He said when this happened TRANSCENDENT was able to improve its position inside AMAZING CHOCOLATE which then resulted in his mount being left racing four wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. He added AMAZING CHOCOLATE quickened satisfactorily rounding the Home Turn, however, after coming under pressure passing the 300 Metres then weakened over the concluding stages which he attributed solely to having to race very wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING CHOCOLATE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, H T Mo reported that FANTASY made an abnormal breathing noise throughout the race. A veterinary inspection of FANTASY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of WATER DIVINER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. AMAZING CHOCOLATE, SUPER OASIS and MONGOLIAN KING were sent for sampling.