24/01/2023  Shatin  Race 5

YOUNG EXPLORER, which was fractious in the barriers, began awkwardly and shifted out towards the heels of MOONLUCK, resulting in YOUNG EXPLORER losing ground. SKY GEM and SMART COUSIN bumped at the start, resulting in SKY GEM shifting in and hampering REGENCY MASTER which in turn shifted in, resulting in GO GO SIXTEEN being taken in onto SHINY TWO which was awkwardly placed outside the heels of MOONLUCK. From wide barriers, OWNERS’ STAR, TURF BRILLIANT, THIS IS CHARISMA and SUPERB DADDY were all steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Approaching the 400 Metres, MOONLUCK was brushed by BARON ZEE as a result of both horses shifting ground. REGENCY MASTER was held up for clear running after the 400 Metres and near the 300 Metres was directed out away from the heels of BARON ZEE to obtain clear running. YOUNG EXPLORER had difficulty obtaining clear running from passing the 300 Metres until near the 100 Metres at which time the horse was steadied away from the heels of BOYS PARTY and shifted to the inside of that horse to obtain clear running. The performance of TURF BRILLIANT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TURF BRILLIANT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of TURF BRILLIANT immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. After the race, Z Purton stated that, in his opinion, the circumstances of today’s race resulted in SUPERB DADDY not being able to finish the race off strongly. He said after racing towards the rear of the field from barrier 14, SUPERB DADDY had to make a sustained run around horses rounding the Home Turn and the pattern of racing to this time indicated that horses were finding it difficult to make up ground. He added that SUPERB DADDY’s task was made more difficult by having to carry top weight in today’s race. A veterinary inspection of SUPERB DADDY immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. A veterinary inspection of THIS IS CHARISMA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GO GO SIXTEEN and REGENCY MASTER were sent for sampling.