30/05/2021  Shatin  Race 9

ELON was crowded for room on jumping between ALL FOR SOUTH and QUADRUPLE DOUBLE which was taken out by FIRST RESPONDER. In this incident, ALL FOR SOUTH became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by ELON which shifted out and bumped ELIGERE. DUBLIN STAR shifted in at the start and inconvenienced AURORA PEGASUS. OUR CREED began awkwardly and throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. MIGHTY VALOR and REGENCY BO BO bumped at the start. WAR WEAPON began awkwardly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From wide barriers, SOARING TOWER and GOD OF DRAGON were also shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. Over the final 200 Metres, WAR WEAPON lay out under pressure and shifted ground on a number of occasions. Approaching the 100 Metre, ELON momentarily raced tight inside DUBLIN STAR. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MIGHTY VALOR, J Moreira stated that after having to make some use of the horse in the early stages to take up a forward position, he was able to shift across to race outside FIRST RESPONDER after the 1000 Metres. He said MIGHTY VALOR relaxed well in the middle stages and he anticipated that the horse would finish off the race well. He said MIGHTY VALOR came under pressure at the 500 Metres and after giving him a very limited response then came under heavy pressure prior to the 300 Metres and weakened out of the race noticeably over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of MIGHTY VALOR immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. The performance of MIGHTY VALOR, favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MIGHTY VALOR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SOARING TOWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MIGHTY VALOR, DUBLIN STAR and WAR WEAPON were sent for sampling.