16/10/2022  Shatin  Race 5

When parading behind the barriers, L Ferraris was dislodged from FLYING MOJITO without incident. DOUBLE SHOW and BULB PALS bumped on jumping. STUNNING IMPACT and FUNCTION PATCH brushed at the start. After this, FUNCTION PATCH was steadied to obtain cover. From wide barriers, STAR CONTACT, GENERAL WINNER and FLYING MOJITO were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. Also from a wide barrier, JIANGXI STAMINA was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. After travelling a short distance, HO HO JUNIOR lay in and bumped the hindquarters of BAEBAE TSOI. HO HO JUNIOR was then awkwardly placed outside the heels of BAEBAE TSOI. After the 1100 Metres, BULB PALS got its head on the side and lay in and brushed the running rail on a number of occasions approaching and passing the 1000 Metres. For some distance after the 1100 Metres, STUNNING IMPACT was steadied to obtain cover when racing wide. Approaching the 1000 Metres, HO HO JUNIOR shifted out and became unbalanced when racing tight inside SUNNY DELIGHT. BAEBAE TSOI lost its left hind plate rounding the Home Turn. GENERAL WINNER was unable to obtain clear running over the final 300 Metres and because of this was not able to be tested. Passing the 300 Metres, FLYING MOJITO was steadied when disappointed for running between HO HO JUNIOR and JIANGXI STAMINA, both of which shifted ground. FLYING MOJITO was then shifted to the inside of HO HO JUNIOR and was badly held up for clear running behind that horse and SWEET DIAMOND which was giving ground. FLYING MOJITO was then shifted out away from the heels of HO HO JUNIOR to obtain clear running after the 200 Metres. In the Straight, BULB PALS (Z Purton) hung in and proved very difficult to ride and for some distance after the 300 Metres raced tight inside STAR CONTACT which improved to be racing tight inside DOUBLE SHOW. Then passing the 200 Metres, BULB PALS, which was continuing to lay in, bumped the running rail when again racing tight inside STAR CONTACT which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of CHARMING STEED which, when commencing to give ground, got it head on the side and lay in. Z Purton stated that BULB PALS, which was resuming from injury today, was sound in its action both prior to and after the race. He said however that BULB PALS lay in and made contact with the rail on a number of occasions throughout the race. He said, in his opinion, BULB PALS, which was only racing for the second time today, lacks maturity and because of this was not able to perform to its best. A veterinary inspection of BULB PALS immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. The performance of BULB PALS, which hung in throughout the race and finished towards the rear of the field as favourite, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BULB PALS 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. Near the 200 Metres, SWEET DIAMOND, which was continuing to give ground, was eased away from the heels of HO HO JUNIOR which got its head on the side and shifted in away from JIANGXI STAMINA after initially racing tight to the inside of that horse which improved to be racing tight inside SUNNY DELIGHT. Approaching the 100 Metres, HO HO JUNIOR was eased away from the heels of JIANGXI STAMINA which continued to be awkwardly placed inside the heels of SUNNY DELIGHT. Throughout the race, VOYAGE STAR travelled wide and without cover. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on SUNNY DELIGHT 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, SUNNY DELIGHT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SWEET DIAMOND and STAR CONTACT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BULB PALS, STUNNING IMPACT and VOYAGE STAR were sent for sampling.