23/04/2023  Shatin  Race 1

ROCKET SPADE was slow to begin. SO WE JOY and YES WE CAN brushed at the start. From the outside barriers, YES WE CAN and SO WE JOY were then shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 400 Metres, SO WE JOY was shifted to the outside of ROCKET SPADE to obtain clear running and then between the 400 Metres and the 350 Metres was held up behind SECRET VISION before shifting to that runner’s inside to secure clear running. After the race, C Y Ho (ROCKET SPADE) stated that his mount travelled satisfactorily throughout the early and middle stages, however, failed to respond to his riding in the Straight and was most disappointing. Trainer C Fownes advised that, in his opinion, ROCKET SPADE did not appreciate racing on the All Weather surface as it also raced disappointingly at its only other start on the surface. He indicated that he will now experiment a gear change with ROCKET SPADE prior to its next race start and will endeavour to race the horse on turf next start. A veterinary inspection of ROCKET SPADE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SECRET VISION 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, SECRET VISION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HAVA NAGEELA and ERIMO were sent for sampling.