01/05/2022  Shatin  Race 5

LUCKY EIGHT was withdrawn on 30.4.22 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SMART LEADER (C Y Ho). Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY EIGHT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, it was noted that M M NEBULA had blood in its mouth. M M NEBULA was examined by the Veterinary Officer and found to be suitable to race. After being loaded into the barriers, SMART LEADER became very fractious and sat down. After being removed from the barriers, SMART LEADER continued to be fractious. A veterinary examination of SMART LEADER found that horse to be not suitable to race and accordingly SMART LEADER was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, SMART LEADER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. As the start was effected, SHINING FORTUNE turned its head to the right which resulted in the horse beginning only fairly. SHINING FORTUNE was then crowded for room between AMIGOS GIGGLE and HUNKY DORY which shifted out abruptly. From the outside barriers, FELIX THE KING and M M NEBULA were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Also from a wide barrier, CIRCUIT SPLENDOR was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Approaching the 800 Metres, HUNKY DORY raced tight inside AMIGOS GIGGLE which got its head on the side and lay in. In the early part of the Straight, EVER FORCE lay in. EL JEFE had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and after the 250 Metres was shifted out away from the heels of AMIGOS GIGGLE. Approaching the 300 Metres, M M NEBULA was eased away from the heels of CIRCUIT SPLENDOR which shifted out. Passing the 300 Metres, FELIX THE KING was shifted out away from the heels of HAPPY PROFIT which was taken out by CELESTIAL STEED which got its head on the side and lay out under pressure. FELIX THE KING then lay in passing the 200 Metres which resulted in its rider changing his whip into his right hand passing the 150 Metres. FELIX THE KING continued to lay in under pressure over the concluding stages. Near the 150 Metres, CHICKEN DANCE raced tight inside EVER FORCE which itself was racing in restricted room inside SHINING FORTUNE. Near the 100 Metres, HAPPY PROFIT was awkwardly placed outside the heels of CELESTIAL STEED. Throughout the race, CELESTIAL STEED and VICTORY SCHOLARS travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of CHICKEN DANCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of CELESTIAL STEED immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, CELESTIAL STEED will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ORIENTAL SMOKE and VICTORY SCHOLARS were sent for sampling.