13/06/2021  Shatin  Race 5

At declaration time, B Shinn was declared as the rider of both JUST NOT LISTENING and DASHING FIT. It was established that B Shinn had a firm commitment to ride DASHING FIT. As such, the Stewards permitted Apprentice C L Chau to be substituted as the rider of JUST NOT LISTENING. For this declaration error, B Shinn was fined $2,000. THE BEST HERO and DIVINE REGULUS bumped at the start. LUCKY RUBY began only fairly and then lost ground after being badly crowded for room between DIVINE REGULUS and STEEL WIN which got its head on the side and shifted out. In this incident, DIVINE REGULUS became unbalanced when bumped by LUCKY RUBY. As a result of this incident, LUCKY RUBY (M Chadwick) raced back in the field. M Chadwick stated that when racing behind runners, LUCKY RUBY did not travel well at any stage of the race and after coming under pressure prior to the 700 Metres then failed to finish off the race. He added he attributed today’s disappointing performance to the fact that LUCKY RUBY was not able to take up a forward position where the horse had previously raced best. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY RUBY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LAPUTA began only fairly and then lost ground when crowded for room inside DASHING FIT which shifted in. After this, LAPUTA was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From a wide barrier, FOREVER CITY was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Near the 1000 Metres, FOREVER CITY was awkwardly placed inside the heels of DASHING FIT which shifted in. After the 700 Metres, THE BEST HERO was left racing wide and without cover. Making the turn after the 700 Metres and again in the Straight, STEEL WIN got its head on the side and lay out. Passing the 600 Metres, EVERYONE’S VICTORY lay in and was awkwardly placed outside the heels of THE BEST HERO. Throughout the race, EVERYONE’S VICTORY travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of JUST NOT LISTENING immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. The performance of JUST NOT LISTENING, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, JUST NOT LISTENING 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 DIVINE REGULUS and FOREVER CITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. STEEL WIN, DASHING FIT and THE BEST HERO were sent for sampling.