21/03/2021  Shatin  Race 1

On arrival at the Start, it was note that PACKING AWARD had blood in its mouth. PACKING AWARD was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. SUPER FLAMES began only fairly and then was crowded for room inside EXCEED THE STARS which shifted in of its own accord before being taken in by XPONENTIAL. FARM BUMPER began awkwardly. From wide barriers, BELLA BABY and SUPER COMMANDER were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. When being steadied to obtain cover approaching and passing the 1000 Metre, PACKING AWARD travelled keenly and proved difficult to settle. Near the 950 Metres, EXCEED THE STARS and BULLISH UNICORN bumped. After the 900 Metres, EXCEED THE STARS raced in restricted room between BULLISH UNICORN and XPONENTIAL which got its head on the side and lay in away from PACKING AWARD. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, PACKING AWARD, which was continuing to prove difficult to settle, was steadied away from the heels of FARM BUMPER (Apprentice C L Chau) which shifted in. Apprentice Chau was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Near the 850 Metres, SO AWESOME and LOVE ME MORE were tightened for room between EXCEED THE STARS and GALLANT LEGACY, both of which shifted ground. After the 700 Metres, XPONENTIAL again got its head on the side and lay out and near the 650 Metres was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 500 Metres, PACKING AWARD was awkwardly placed close to the heels of XPONENTIAL. After the 500 Metres, BELLA BABY, which was travelling keenly, got its head up on a number of occasions when being checked away from the heels of EXCEED THE STARS when unable to improve between that horse and PACKING AWARD. After this, BELLA BABY was shifted out a number of horses to obtain clear running. Rounding the Home Turn, LOVE ME MORE was taken wider by SO AWESOME which improved to the outside of GALLANT LEGACY. At the entrance to the Straight, SUPER COMMANDER improved into restricted racing room inside SUMMIT CHEERS. After the 400 Metres, EXCEED THE STARS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BULLISH UNICORN when being shifted to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running. Passing the 250 Metres, SUPER COMMANDER was shifted out a number of horses to obtain clear running. When SUPER COMMANDER was being shifted out near the 200 Metres, ALL YOU WANT, which was giving ground, was momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of that horse. Passing the 200 Metres, GALLANT LEGACY was checked when crowded for room between SO AWESOME (R Maia) which initially shifted in and PACKING AWARD (M L Yeung) which, after initially being directed out by XPONENTIAL, then shifted out further. Both R Maia and M L Yeung were reprimanded and told to ensure that they make every endeavour to prevent their mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. Near the 150 Metres, the whip of M L Yeung was caught under the whip of T Piccone (XPONENTIAL), resulting in M L Yeung’s whip being dislodged from his grasp. Near the 100 Metres, GLENEALY GENERALS shifted out abruptly under pressure, causing PACKING AWARD to be inconvenienced approaching the 50 Metres. Throughout the race, GALLANT LEGACY travelled wide and without cover. After the race, Z Purton reported that SUMMIT CHEERS slipped behind on jumping which resulted in the horse losing ground. This was confirmed by the official videos. A veterinary inspection of SUMMIT CHEERS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of XPONENTIAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After returning to the stables, ALL YOU WANT was noted to have blood in the right nostril. A subsequent endoscopic examination of ALL YOU WANT confirmed that horse to have bled. BELLA BABY and PACKING AWARD were sent for sampling.