Setback for Green Mask in Hong Kong
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Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club
Green Mask
Sheikh Abdullah Almaddah's Green Mask has been dealt a setback in his preparations for the Dec. 13 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (HK-I) after foot bruising was detected following a Dec. 7 workout at Sha Tin Racecourse.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced Dec. 9 that the stewards were informed by the executive manager of veterinary regulation that Wesley Ward-trained Green Mask was "found to be lame in his left front leg."
In the work, Green Mask went the 800 meters (half-mile) on turf in :47.3
Despite the setback, plans were for Green Mask to still be entered in the Sprint, the HKJC said.
"The stewards have been advised that the horse is responding well to treatment and accordingly Green Mask will be declared for the aforementioned race tomorrow morning," the statement said.
In the Sprint, Green Mask will face an international cast of top sprinters that includes Mongolian Saturday, winner of the Twinspires Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IT) in which Green Mask finished third.