08/05/2021  Shatin  Race 6

TWINX was slow to begin and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners. A veterinary inspection of TWINX immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of TWINX, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TWINX will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PRIME STAR began only fairly. SPRINT FORWARD began awkwardly and then was steadied to obtain cover shortly after the start. From wide barriers, LEGEND GOES and LIGHT OF WANSHI were also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. A short distance after the start, ZONE D was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SPEED FAY FAY when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse. Approaching the 600 Metres, MY ECSTATIC and PEACH BLOSSOMS brushed. At the entrance to the Straight, SPEED FAY FAY attempted to shift to the outside of SOLAR POWER and improved into a tight run between that horse and UNICORNBABY which shifted out marginally. When SPEED FAY FAY shifted out, PRIME STAR commenced to improve to the inside of SPEED FAY FAY. When SUN OF MAKFI, which was racing outside of SPEED FAY FAY, maintained its position behind UNICORNBABY, this resulted in SPEED FAY FAY being hampered when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SOLAR POWER which got its head on the side and lay our marginally. This resulted in SPEED FAY FAY losing ground. As the Stewards were of the opinion that SUN OF MAKFI was entitled to maintain its position at this stage and was racing inside MY ECSTATIC which was racing in a legitimate three wide position, they were satisfied that there was no rider error involved with this incident and accordingly no further action was taken. Throughout the race, PEACH BLOSSOMS travelled wide and without cover. K Teetan was fined the sum of $20,000 for using the whip on PEACH BLOSSOMS down the shoulder on a number of occasions in the Straight. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration K Teetan’s previous record in respect of using the whip in this manner. A veterinary inspection of MY ECSTATIC, SPEED FAY FAY, THUNDERSTRIKE and SOLAR POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ZONE D, PEACH BLOSSOMS and UNICORNBABY were sent for sampling.