11/07/2021  Shatin  Race 3

TOP SCORE was withdrawn on 8.7.21 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (very restricted action all round and sore back) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter NOBLE MAN. As previously advised, TOP SCORE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. KA YING BRILLIANCE began awkwardly. LUCKY TURBO shifted out at the start, resulting in RED ZOFFANY being crowded for room inside WAYFOONG STAR. From wide barriers, GOLDEN FOUR and JIANGXI STAMINA were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being steadied in order to be shifted in behind KA YING BRILLIANCE approaching the 1100 Metres, ARDENODE got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse which shifted out. Approaching the 1200 Metres, RED ZOFFANY was awkwardly placed outside the heels of LUCKY TURBO when travelling keenly and being steadied to obtain cover. Near the 1050 Metres, GOLDEN FOUR was checked after improving to be racing inside the heels of ARDENODE (Apprentice C L Chau) which, after initially being clear of GOLDEN FOUR, shifted in away from the heels of KA YING BRILLIANCE which resulted in the tightening to GOLDEN FOUR. As the Stewards were of the opinion that there were some circumstances to this incident, they believed that the appropriate action was for Apprentice Chau to be severely reprimanded and told that whilst he had initially been clear of GOLDEN FOUR, by the time that he had moved into a position to shift in in front of GOLDEN FOUR, that horse had been able to improve its position. He was also told, wherever appropriate circumstances permit, he must ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground. RED ZOFFANY, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence. After the 900 Metres, WAYFOONG STAR was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 850 Metres, KA YING BRILLIANCE (M F Poon) got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of NOBLE MAN. EVEN KEEL, which was following KA YING BRILLIANCE, raced close to the heels of that horse in consequence. After the race, M F Poon reported that he felt that KA YING BRILLIANCE may have been galloped on in this incident. After this, KA YING BRILLIANCE travelled keenly and continued to race close to the heels of NOBLE MAN. A veterinary inspection of KA YING BRILLIANCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. At the entrance to the Straight, RED ZOFFANY and JIANGXI STAMINA bumped. ARDENODE had difficulty obtaining clear running after the 400 Metres. BLAZING PARTNERS was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. After the 300 Metres, NOBLE MAN raced right between BLAZING PARTNERS and WAYFOONG STAR. Passing the 200 Metres, EVEN KEEL was shifted to the inside of LUCKY PUZZLE after being disappointed for running between that horse and FORMULA EXCEL. A veterinary inspection of GOLDEN FOUR, VIVA MAMA and ARDENODE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BLAZING PARTNERS, JIANGXI STAMINA and EVEN KEEL were sent for sampling.