15/04/2023  Shatin  Race 5

BEAU GOSSE was slow to begin. On jumping, STAR OF GLORY shifted out and away from COUNTRY BOY and in doing so made contact with PROUD DRAGON, resulting in PROUD DRAGON shifting out and causing CHARMANDER to be steadied when crowded between PROUD DRAGON and TURIN WARRIOR which shifted in. Shortly after the start, MILLENNIUM FALCON, which jumped awkwardly, was hampered when crowded by WAR OF COURAGE which shifted in. Near the 1100 Metres, COUNTRY BOY got its head up when being steadied to allow WAR OF COURAGE to cross. LUCKY GOLD, which was following COUNTRY BOY, was steadied as a consequence. Then near the 900 Metres, COUNTRY BOY, which continued to race keenly, was checked to avoid WAR OF COURAGE. In the early and middle stages, BEAU GOSSE raced keenly and for some distance near the 1000 Metres was steadied away from RED HARE KING. Near the 200 Metres, RED HARE KING momentarily raced tight to the inside of WAR OF COURAGE which shifted in slightly. Then over the final 150 Metres, RED HARE KING lay out and near the 100 Metres was corrected by its rider, K Teetan, when it shifted out towards WAR OF COURAGE. STAR OF GLORY raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. After the race, Z Purton (COUNTRY BOY) reported that his mount made an abnormal respiratory noise during the running of the event and when it blundered in the early part of the Straight, he eased COUNTRY BOY down. A veterinary inspection of COUNTRY BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of COUNTRY BOY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, COUNTRY BOY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, H Bowman (PROUD DRAGON) reported that when his mount was not in a competitive manner and he felt there was something amiss with the horse, he did not ride it out over the final 50 Metres. A veterinary inspection of PROUD DRAGON 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, PROUD DRAGON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of CHARMANDER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WAR OF COURAGE and RED HARE KING were sent for sampling.