18/12/2022  Shatin  Race 5

REGENCY MASTER and PRESIDENT’S CHOICE were slow to begin. VICTORY PARK was crowded for room on jumping between TURQUOISE ALPHA and HELENE ALLIBOR (L Currie), both of which shifted ground. In this incident, HELENE ALLIBOR became badly unbalanced as a result of being bumped on the hindquarters by VICTORY PARK and when unbalanced lost its left front plate. When questioned, L Currie stated that following this incident HELENE ALLIBOR took some time to balance up. He said passing the 1100 Metres HELENE ALLIBOR became badly unbalanced of its own accord, shifted in abruptly and bumped VICTORY PARK. He said the manner in which HELENE ALLIBOR became unbalanced initially indicated to him that the horse may have gone amiss, however, HELENE ALLIBOR then commenced to travel more comfortably and therefore he continued to ride the horse throughout the remainder of the race. Trainer D A Hayes was advised that as this was the second occasion in which HELENE ALLIBOR has become disunited in its action in races for no apparent reason, the horse will be required to undertake a series of satisfactory consecutive barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. This matter was also brought to the attention of the Department of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy. Passing the 700 Metres, PAKISTAN FRIEND was awkwardly placed behind HAPPY HERO. Rounding the Home Turn, CHEERY and PAKISTAN FRIEND raced tight due to PAKISTAN FRIEND attempting to shift out as CHEERY improved around that horse. This resulted in CHEERY becoming unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by PAKISTAN FRIEND which was awkwardly placed behind TURQUOISE ALPHA approaching the 400 Metres. PRESIDENT’S CHOICE was held up for clear running from on straightening until passing the 300 Metres. OSCAR GLORY was badly held up for clear running from on straightening until passing the 200 Metres. NICHOLSON RETURNS and OVER THE MOON were held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 400 Metres, REGENCY MASTER was shifted in away from the heels of OSCAR GLORY. REGENCY MASTER was then held up for clear running approaching the 300 Metres and passing the 300 Metres was shifted out across the heels of OSCAR GLORY to obtain clear running. Over the concluding stages, OVER THE MOON shifted in under pressure and brushed PRESIDENT’S CHOICE. For the majority of the race, HAPPY HERO and TURQUOISE ALPHA travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of VOYAGE STAR immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils and to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. A veterinary inspection of PAKISTAN FRIEND immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in its trachea and also found the horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. Before being allowed to race again, PAKISTAN FRIEND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CHEERY and NICHOLSON RETURNS were sent for sampling.