01/10/2021  Shatin  Race 5

PROPICE began awkwardly and then was inconvenienced by DUBLIN STAR which shifted out. Passing the 700 Metres, PROPICE (C Y Ho) improved into running which was available between CARROLL STREET and FLYING HIGH (M Chadwick). PROPICE and FLYING HIGH then bumped approaching the 600 Metres which resulted in FLYING HIGH becoming badly unbalanced and being turned out across the running of PROPICE, causing PROPICE to be badly hampered and shift out across the running of CARROLL STREET which was severely checked and lost a significant amount of ground. IAN, which was following CARROLL STREET, was severely checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Having considered the evidence and the videos available to the Stewards, it was not able to be adequately determined whether the initial contact to FLYING HIGH was as a result of that horse shifting out marginally or PROPICE shifting in and brushing the hindquarters of FLYING HIGH which then resulted in FLYING HIGH being turned out across PROPICE. The Stewards accepted that the movement of both FLYING HIGH and PROPICE which resulted in the initial contact was minimal and was not as a result of any carelessness on the part of M Chadwick or C Y Ho. As such whilst the incident was one of some significance and resulted in two horses being badly hampered, the Stewards were not able to apportion blame for the incident to any rider and therefore no further action was taken other than M Chadwick and C Y Ho were advised that in similar circumstances to take all available measures to prevent contact between horses irrespective of how minimal that contact may be. In this incident, CARROLL STREET lost its left hind plate. Passing the 150 Metres, IAN was directed in away from the heels of DUBLIN STAR to continue improving. Passing the 100 Metres, DUBLIN STAR was shifted in away from the heels of PROPICE. When questioned, K C Leung stated that GLORIFIED FIRE, which was having its first start since October 2020, began only fairly and then was out-paced in the early stages. He said he rode GLORIFIED FIRE along for a considerable distance in the early stages so as not to get too far out of its ground. He said despite being ridden along which included him slapping the horse down the shoulder with the whip on a number of occasions, GLORIFIED FIRE was not able to display any early speed and became detached from the field in the early stages. He said he balanced GLORIFIED FIRE up approaching the 600 Metres as he had ridden the horse for a considerable distance and then commenced to once again ride the horse vigorously after the 600 Metres. He said GLORIFIED FIRE did not immediately respond to his riding, however, after the 400 Metres commenced to finish off the race. He added when being ridden out over the latter stages, GLORIFIED FIRE finished off the race strongly. He said over the final 100 Metres he noted that GLORIFIED FIRE was making an abnormal breathing noise which worsened when pulling up after the race. The Veterinary Officer reported that GLORIFIED FIRE was making an abnormal respiratory noise following the race. An endoscopic examination of GLORIFIED FIRE found that horse to be a "roarer”. A veterinary inspection of CARROLL STREET immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a minor laceration to its right front leg. NERVOUS WITNESS and GOOD VIEW CLARICO were sent for sampling.