12/03/2022  Shatin  Race 9

When proceeding to the barriers, PHOENIX LIGHT became fractious which resulted in V Borges being dislodged. PHOENIX LIGHT then galloped for some distance riderless. Acting on veterinary advice that PHOENIX LIGHT was lame in the right hind leg and as such was not suitable to race, the horse was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, PHOENIX LIGHT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. COMING PATCH was slow to begin. DOUBLE SIX POP, OUR LUCKY GLORY and RIGHT HONOURABLE were all steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Making the turn passing the 900 Metres, DOUBLE SIX POP travelled keenly and then passing the 600 Metres raced tight between COMING PATCH and WAR WEAPON when improving into tight running between those horses. Rounding the Home Turn, GALLANT EXPRESS raced tight outside WAR WEAPON which lay out. Throughout the race, BEAUTY CHAMPION travelled wide and without cover. Near the 950 Metres, WAR WEAPON (A Badel) commenced to travel very keenly and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of FIVE ELEMENTS. WAR WEAPON then shifted out abruptly and bumped GALLANT EXPRESS which was hampered and taken wider. OUR LUCKY GLORY, which was following GALLANT EXPRESS, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. GALLANT EXPRESS was then steadied away from the heels of WAR WEAPON. A Badel stated that WAR WEAPON was agitated behind the barriers and then did not want to settle in the early stages. He said the horse came under heavy pressure passing the 800 Metres to maintain its position and then lay out noticeably rounding the Home Turn. He said after this WAR WEAPON did not finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of WAR WEAPON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance and racing manners of WAR WEAPON were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, WAR WEAPON will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, A Hamelin stated that GALLANT EXPRESS initially responded well to his riding and improved into the race after the 300 Metres as if it would finish in the placings. He said however that the horse was disappointing over the concluding stages in the manner in which it failed to finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of GALLANT EXPRESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUPER FORTUNE and FIVE ELEMENTS were sent for sampling.