20/03/2022  Shatin  Race 9

When parading behind the barriers, it was noted that MASSIVE ACTION had its tongue over the bit, however, due to the nature of the bit worn by MASSIVE ACTION, the tongue was not able to be positioned back under the bit. This matter will be brought to the attention of Mr F C Lor, trainer of MASSIVE ACTION. HEZA BEAUTY stumbled on jumping. CALIFORNIA SKY and MR VALIANT bumped on jumping due to both horses shifting ground. MASSIVE ACTION shifted out at the start and bumped GOLDEN EMPIRE. After this, GOLDEN EMPIRE was steadied to obtain a position with cover. SAUVESTRE shifted in at the start and bumped KOWLOON GREAT. After this, from a wide barrier, KOWLOON GREAT was steadied and shifted across behind runners. From a wide barrier, GOD OF DRAGON was also steadied in the early stages. Passing the 1200 Metres, CALIFORNIA SKY was directed out to relieve tightening to COMPASSION SPIRIT and in doing so bumped MR VALIANT. Passing the 500 Metres, HEZA BEAUTY commenced to travel keenly and improved into very tight running between FAST PACE and TEXAS MOON. At the entrance to the Straight, HEZA BEAUTY (J Moreira) improved into tight running between TEXAS MOON and COMPASSION SPIRIT and in doing so brushed TEXAS MOON which shifted out and bumped SAUVESTRE. HEZA BEAUTY was then taken out by COMPASSION SPIRIT which, after initially being taken out slightly by MR VALIANT, shifted out away from that horse. This resulted in TEXAS MOON becoming badly unbalanced when crowded for room between HEZA BEAUTY and SAUVESTRE which both also became unbalanced. Then approaching the 350 Metres, HEZA BEAUTY and COMPASSION SPIRIT bumped as a result of both horses shifting a minimal amount of ground and which resulted in both COMPASSION SPIRIT and HEZA BEAUTY becoming unbalanced. COMPASSION SPIRIT then shifted out when unbalanced, resulting in HEZA BEAUTY being taken out and causing TEXAS MOON to be crowded for room inside SAUVESTRE. Whilst the Stewards were of the view that these incidents were largely as a result of horses shifting ground when unbalanced, nonetheless J Moreira was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground so as not to make unnecessary contact with other runners. Passing the 200 Metres, MR VALIANT and COMPASSION SPIRIT raced tight inside HEZA BEAUTY which in turn was directed in away from the heels of SAUVESTRE which shifted in under pressure. Approaching the 100 Metres, MR VALIANT was awkwardly placed behind RACING FIGHTER when racing tight inside COMPASSION SPIRIT. After the race, K Teetan reported that CALIFORNIA SKY travelled keenly in the middle stages and would not relax for him as he had hoped. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on KOWLOON GREAT at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, KOWLOON GREAT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of COMPASSION SPIRIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SAUVESTRE, GOLDEN EMPIRE and ROYAL BOMB were sent for sampling.