15/05/2022  Shatin  Race 10

The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered if FLYING SEASON had been afforded a fair start. After taking evidence from M Chadwick, the rider of FLYING SEASON, and Mr A Speechley, Starter, it was established that after being placed in the barriers FLYING SEASON became fractious. Then as the blindfold was removed from FLYING SEASON, the horse lunged at the front gates which resulted in the gates opening marginally prior to the remaining barrier gates. As a result of FLYING SEASON lunging at the start, the horse began very awkwardly and shifted out abruptly, resulting in M Chadwick becoming badly unbalanced, losing balance and losing the use of his stirrup irons for a short distance. When FLYING SEASON shifted out abruptly, KAI XIN DRAGON was severely checked and lost ground. FLYING SEASON then continued to shift out and made heavy contact with SOLID IMPACT which was crowded for room inside BRILLIANT WAY which was hampered when bumped by SOLID IMPACT. As the Stewards formed the opinion that FLYING SEASON’s barrier manners had resulted in the horse beginning in the manner in which it did and that the horse had been afforded a fair start, they deemed FLYING SEASON to be a runner. Before being allowed to race again, FLYING SEASON will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. JOLLY RULER began awkwardly and shifted out towards the heels of REVE PARISIEN, resulting in JOLLY RULER losing ground. LUCKY QUALITY shifted out at the start and bumped WAR WEAPON. WAR WEAPON then shifted out away from LUCKY QUALITY and was steadied away from the heels of REVE PARISIEN. From the outside barriers, TEXAS MOON and BEAUTY MISSION were both steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. When racing back in the field, KAI XIN DRAGON travelled very keenly for a considerable distance after the 1000 Metres and repeatedly got its head up. After the 900 Metres, SOLID IMPACT was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 700 Metres, BEAUTY MISSION was taken wider and without cover by JOLLY RULER which shifted out away from the heels of LUCKY QUALITY after being very awkwardly placed behind that horse. JOLLY RULER then raced tight between BEAUTY MISSION and LUCKY QUALITY and approaching the 600 Metres was steadied as a result of LUCKY QUALITY shifting out marginally. A veterinary inspection of FLYING SEASON, LUCKY QUALITY and KAI XIN DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SOLID IMPACT, BRILLIANT WAY and REVE PARISIEN were sent for sampling.