The Stewards have interviewed Trainer A S Cruz regarding his application to add a Hood to the gear carried by STAR PERFORMANCE, a declared starter in the stated race.  STAR PERFORMANCE was successful at its only race start in Hong Kong on 7 July 2019 when carrying a Tongue Tie and Ring Bit only. Also interviewed was Jockey J Moreira who rode the horse in a barrier trial on 6 September 2019.

Mr Cruz explained that STAR PERFORMANCE is still relatively inexperienced at this stage of its racing career and became worked up before its race in Hong Kong as well as in trackwork last season. As such he applied a Hood to the horse in its trackwork from the beginning of this racing season and in the aforementioned barrier trial. Both he and Jockey Moreira believe that this additional piece of gear to STAR PERFORMANCE has assisted the horse in settling during trackwork and that the horse will benefit from the Hood being worn in races, particularly having regard to the manner in which the horse performed in that barrier trial.

Having considered Mr Cruz and Jockey Moreira’s submissions and after viewing the footage of the barrier trial conducted on 6 September 2019, the Stewards acceded to Mr Cruz’s request for a Hood to be added to STAR PERFORMANCE in this race.