Further to the press release issued on Thursday, 11 January 2018 regarding the application submitted by Mr A S Cruz, the trainer of EXULTANT, to add a hood to the gear carried by that horse at its intended next race start in the Hong Kong Classic Mile to be conducted on Sunday, 21 January 2018.  The Stewards again interviewed Mr Cruz and Jockey Z Purton regarding this matter at the Sha Tin racemeeting on Saturday, 13 January 2018.

Mr Cruz informed the Stewards that having regard to EXULTANT’s performance in a barrier trial on Friday, 12 January 2018 when wearing a hood, he had decided not to pursue adding that piece of gear to EXULTANT for the time being.  He said as EXULTANT was stepping back in the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600 Metres) following its last start success over 2000 Metres, he would evaluate the horse’s performance in the Hong Kong Classic Mile before making any further decision in respect of the gear to be worn by EXULTANT.