Recap by phillip woo

The well-backed Glorious Artist just out-finished Preciousship over the final 100m after pushing into the open 300m out following a patient ride third from the rear to ring up a fifth career win over this course and distance. He has a terrific record under Zac Purton. Preciousship made it interesting at the finish after travelling four back on the fence. It was his best run in a while with a switch to the dirt. Hongkong Great grudgingly gave way after working hard to finally clear out into the lead from a wide gate 800m out. It was a huge run in defeat despite a rise in class and he'll be hard to beat from a better gate. Favourite Elusive State ran on to fill the frame without menacing the top three following a rails run ahead of midfield. The big weight anchored him following a win last start. Kings Shield kept plugging away to earn a minor cheque after easing out of a speed duel to chase the leader along the fence. He does appear to be on his mark. Punted late, Red Desert just held his ground following a prominent run. He's not a miler. Specked late, Californiadeepshot never let down after a one-off trip in midfield.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (554) - CUCKOO HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1650Meters

ENCORE BOY was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

NOBLE BOY was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

C Schofield (RED DESERT) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of ELUSIVE STATE, causing that horse to be hampered and lose ground when unnecessarily crowded for room inside RED DESERT.

C Schofield was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Saturday, 17 April 2021 and to expire on Thursday, 22 April 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, Jockey Schofield was fined $30,000.

When ELUSIVE STATE was hampered, CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT and ENCORE BOY were inconvenienced in consequence.

Near the 1100 Metres, KINGS SHIELD and MAGNIFICENT bumped and became unbalanced as a result of both horses shifting ground.

MAGNIFICENT then shifted out and bumped HONGKONG GREAT before shifting back in and again made contact with KINGS SHIELD, causing all three horses to be hampered.

Close to the finishing line, GLORIOUS ARTIST and PRECIOUSSHIP raced tight.

After the race, M F Poon expressed concern regarding the action of ENCORE BOY.

A veterinary inspection of ENCORE BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Before being allowed to race again, ENCORE BOY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse's trachea.

A veterinary inspection of MAGNIFICENT and RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that GLORIOUS ARTIST was noted to be displaying post-race distress.

Before being allowed to race again, GLORIOUS ARTIST will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

ELUSIVE STATE, GLORIOUS ARTIST and PRECIOUSSHIP were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Sha Tin Racemeeting on 28 March 2021 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of WINWIN THIRTYTHREE, ALLOY STAR, EXALTATION, KUNGFUMASTER PANDA, PLAY WISE, WINNER METHOD, BRILLIANT FORTUNE, SUPER TEN, CHEERFUL DAYS, BEAUTY FIT, GOLDEN LINK, UNCLE STEVE, GALLANT EXPRESS, SMART WONGCHOY, MISSION SMART, CITY LEGEND, GRACYLOVE, AUTHENTIC CHAMP, LOOKING GREAT, GOOD VIEW CLARICO, BIG FORTUNE, LUCKY PATCH, DUKE WAI and THE CROWN revealed no apparent abnormality.

2.

Racing Laboratory tests of BELLA BABY, PACKING AWARD, ENCHANTING START, FANTASTIC TREASURE, GALACTIC, CHARITY FUN, PAKISTAN FRIEND, CHARITY GRACE, MASTER HERO, SHANGHAI DRAGON, ULTRA EXPRESS, BELUGA, TRUE LEGEND, COURIER WONDER, REGENCY BO BO, SKY DARCI, RUSSIAN EMPEROR, FANTASTIC WAY, THE RUNNER, FLAGSHIP GLORY, RELIABLE TEAM and BEAUTY SMILE (21.3.21) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawal Race 7: FLYING ON THE TURF at barriers on veterinary advice.

2.

Fines Race 1: Trainer C H Yip (ATHENA): $3,000 for presenting the horse in the Parade Ring without a parade hood.

Race 9: C Schofield (RED DESERT): $30,000 for careless riding approaching the 1200 Metres.



3.

Reprimand Race 8: K Teetan (MAN STAR) for shifting out shortly after entering the Straight.

4.

Warnings Race 2: R Maia (VILLA FIONN) for using the whip on a horse out of contention.

Race 3: Apprentice K H Chan (COLONEL) for shifting in passing the 700 Metres.

5.

Suspensions Race 2: R Maia (VILLA FIONN) for careless riding passing the 1200 Metres (from 17 April 2021 until 22 April 2021 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

Race 9: C Schofield (RED DESERT) for careless riding approaching the 1200 Metres (from 17 April 2021 until 22 April 2021 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

6.

Irregular Heart Rhythm Race 7: HERO TIME (2nd time)

7.

Barrier Trials Race 1: DR PROACTIVE Race 2: PARTERRE GREAT TREASURE Race 3: SEA MONARCH Race 5: LIGHT MY DAY Race 7: HERO TIME

8.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1: DR PROACTIVE WINNING STRIKES SMART CHARADE Race 2: PARTERRE GREAT TREASURE Race 5: LIGHT MY DAY Race 6: ZACIAN STRIKING MR C Race 7: FLYING ON THE TURF HERO TIME MIGHTY POWER Race 8: LUCKY FUN Race 9: ENCORE BOY GLORIOUS ARTIST

9.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement All Weather Track