No witness in Hong Kong

Silent Witness will not bid for a hat-trick of wins in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint after officially being withdrawn from Sunday’s race.

The six-year-old would have been looking to notch a third successive victory in the five-furlong event but connections are not satisfied with his current condition.

Silent Witness was pulled out of a race on veterinary advice last month and he would have had to pass an official examination if he were to line up.

However, trainer Tony Cruz declined to have the El Moxie gelding examined on Monday morning after a disappointing all-weather workout and subsequently withdrew the horse from the race after talks with owners Archie and Betty da Silva and jockey Felix Coetzee.