05/06/2022  Shatin  Race 9

On arrival at the Parade Ring, the tongue tie applied to TEMPEST EXPRESS was replaced. MAJESTIC VICTORY, which had blood in the mouth on arrival at the Start, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. After arriving at the barriers, M F Poon expressed concern regarding the action of TRUE LEGEND. TRUE LEGEND was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was lame in its left front leg and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, TRUE LEGEND was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, TRUE LEGEND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ODE TO JOY began awkwardly and bumped the inside of its stall. SMILING TIME shifted out at the start and bumped SUPER DYNAMITE. After this, from wide barriers, SMILING TIME and SUPER DYNAMITE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1450 Metres, VILLA FIONN was shifted in away from the heels of PACKING FAMOUS which was directed to the inside of SUPER OASIS. After the 1400 Metres, PACKING FAMOUS was crowded for room between SUPER OASIS and SIGHT SPIRIT which shifted out. PACKING FAMOUS then commenced to over-race and got its head up on a number of occasions when racing tight inside SUPER OASIS (A Badel) which shifted in when not properly clear. A Badel was severely reprimanded and told that whilst the Stewards accepted that PACKING FAMOUS’ racing manners at this time had played a part in this incident, nonetheless he should have provided PACKING FAMOUS with more clearance at this time. VILLA FIONN, which was following PACKING FAMOUS, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence near the 1250 Metres. Approaching the 800 Metres, PACKING FAMOUS got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPER OASIS and when racing tight outside ODE TO JOY which improved into restricted room between PACKING FAMOUS and LEADING FORTUNE. ODE TO JOY and PACKING FAMOUS then bumped approaching the 700 Metres. PACKING FAMOUS then raced in restricted room between ODE TO JOY and SUPER OASIS approaching the 600 Metres which resulted in PACKING FAMOUS becoming unbalanced. SMILING TIME had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and then passing the 200 Metres was steadied when disappointed for running between PACKING FAMOUS and VILLA FIONN. SECRET VISION lay in under pressure in the Straight and over the concluding stages raced tight inside SUPER OASIS. When questioned, H Bentley stated that from the outside barrier he was instructed to ride SECRET VISION in a forward position and with cover if possible. He said it was felt that TRUE LEGEND would lead the race which would provide SECRET VISION with an opportunity to shift across and obtain cover if the race was run at a good tempo. He said when TRUE LEGEND was withdrawn from the race, this resulted in the race being run at a slower tempo than had been anticipated. He said in the early stages he shifted across to obtain a forward position, however, he was not able to obtain cover. He added that he anticipated that after GOLDEN EMPIRE crossed LOOKING COOL near the 1100 Metres that horse may continue forward of MAJESTIC VICTORY on the rail and lead which would afford him the opportunity of crossing LOOKING COOL and racing in a position one horse off the rail. He said when GOLDEN EMPIRE remained racing outside MAJESTIC VICTORY, he did give consideration to improving forward of that horse given the slow tempo of the race, however, he was concerned that if he did so, both MAJESTIC VICTORY and GOLDEN EMPIRE would improve their positions with SECRET VISION which would result in him making use of his horse but still having to remain in a three wide position. Therefore he made the decision to have SECRET VISION remain balanced in a three wide position outside LOOKING COOL. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on PACKING FAMOUS 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, PACKING FAMOUS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of TEMPEST EXPRESS and LEADING FORTUNE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUPER OASIS and SIGHT SPIRIT were sent for sampling.