01/01/2023  Shatin  Race 7

GRATEFUL HEART, which was being assisted by a starting gate handler as a result of being fractious in the barriers, began awkwardly and lost ground. POWER KOEPP lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and was slow to begin. Making the first turn near the 900 Metres, TRILLION WIN shifted out away from the heels of WINNING DREAMER and in doing so bumped the hindquarters of ORIENTAL SMOKE which became unbalanced. Passing the 550 Metres, ROCK YA HEART shifted out and bumped IMA SINGLE MAN. Passing the 50 Metres, ROCK YA HEART was crowded for room inside IMA SINGLE MAN (Apprentice Y L Chung) which shifted in. Apprentice Chung was severely reprimanded and told that in similar circumstances he must ensure that he straightens his mounts up at the earliest opportunity to prevent causing interference. In this incident, ROCK YA HEART bumped the hindquarters of KA YING MASTER which shifted in, resulting in PING HAI GALAXY racing in restricted room close to the finishing line. POWER KOEPP lay in under pressure over the concluding stages, resulting in its rider, S De Sousa, having to straighten his mount close to the finishing line. After the race, H Bowman said that whilst ORIENTAL SMOKE was left racing wide and without cover passing the 1000 Metres, he was also of the belief that the horse’s failure to finish the race off was compounded by the race being run at a quick tempo which did not suit his mount. A veterinary inspection of ORIENTAL SMOKE 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, ORIENTAL SMOKE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, K Teetan reported that the fitness of BUZZINGA, which was resuming today following throat surgery, gave out in the Straight and he was of the opinion that the horse would improve for today’s race. A veterinary inspection of BUZZINGA immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. Also after the race, WINNING DREAMER was noted to have sustained a small overreach abrasion to the right front heel bulb. POWER KOEPP, IMA SINGLE MAN and KA YING MASTER were sent for sampling.