19/04/2020  Shatin  Race 6

After being placed in the barriers, EURO LAGO became very fractious, reared and got its both front legs over the front gates for a considerable amount of time. EURO LAGO was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion the horse was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, EURO LAGO was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, EURO LAGO will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. KA YING EXCELLENT began awkwardly and then was crowded for room on jumping between HEZA BEAUTY and ERIN CENTENARY which was taken in by ALL FOR ST PAUL’S. In this incident, HEZA BEAUTY was bumped by KA YING EXCELLENT. SPEED FAY FAY stumbled badly at the start and lost ground and in doing so shifted in, resulting in SMART CHARADE being crowded for room. After this, from a wide barrier, SMART CHARADE was shifted across behind runners. SPEED FAY FAY was then ridden along to obtain a forward position and subsequently travelled wide and without cover until after the 600 Metres. From wide barriers, SMILING CITY and EPTIWINS were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1300 Metres, KA YING EXCELLENT raced in restricted room between HEZA BEAUTY which shifted out and ERIN CENTENARY which shifted in when travelling keenly. After this, ERIN CENTENARY continued to prove difficult to settle. Approaching the 1100 Metres, SMILING CITY got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed behind IMPECCABLE FELLOW which was being steadied to obtain cover. Passing the 1100 Metres, HEZA BEAUTY shifted in abruptly when being steadied away from the heels of TELECOM ROCKET and crowded the racing room of TEAM POWER which became unbalanced. KA YING EXCELLENT, which was following HEZA BEAUTY, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse in consequence. Then making the turn near the 900 Metres, HEZA BEAUTY again got its head up when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed behind TELECOM ROCKET. Passing the 800 Metres, SMILING CITY was shifted out away from the heels of IMPECCABLE FELLOW when continuing to prove very difficult to settle. Rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, TEAM POWER and TELECOM ROCKET raced tight as TEAM POWER attempted to shift out and improve between TELECOM ROCKET and SPEED FAY FAY. After being disappointed for running between SPEED FAY FAY and TELECOM ROCKET near the 400 Metres, TEAM POWER was then shifted to the inside of SPEED FAY FAY approaching the 300 Metres to obtain clear running. Passing the 150 Metres, SPEED FAY FAY was inconvenienced when crowded for room between TELECOM ROCKET which initially shifted in and TEAM POWER which shifted out. When questioned regarding the performance of HEZA BEAUTY, J Moreira stated that after beginning on terms with the field, HEZA BEAUTY would not settle as a result of the horse’s inexperience and also due to the slow pace of the race. He said it was not until after the 700 Metres that HEZA BEAUTY commenced to travel more kindly, however, by this time the horse had used a considerable amount of energy. He said HEZA BEAUTY did not quicken in the early part of the Straight when placed under pressure and then lay in towards the running rail which made it difficult for him to place the horse under proper pressure. He said, in his opinion, the circumstances of the race together with HEZA BEAUTY having limited race experiences were the reasons for its failure to finish off the race as anticipated. A veterinary inspection of HEZA BEAUTY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SMILING CITY and ERIN CENTENARY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, ERIN CENTENARY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HEZA BEAUTY, TEAM POWER and ALL FOR ST PAUL’S were sent for sampling.