05/03/2023  Shatin  Race 4

LITTLE PLAYER was withdrawn on 4.3.23 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (wound to right hind pastern) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter COLONEL (S De Sousa). Before being allowed to race again, LITTLE PLAYER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. THIS IS GUTS jumped awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in ALLOY STAR shifting out and away from THIS IS GUTS and making contact with GOLDEN MISSION. SHANGHAI POWER knuckled on jumping. STRIVE FOR GLORY and VIVA A LA bumped at the start. From the outside barrier, DREAM CATCHER was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1100 Metres, INSPIRING CITY (M F Poon) was steadied when crowded by ZACIAN which was taken in by GOLDEN MISSION which in turn was crowded and taken in by TOUCH FAITH (L Currie). L Currie was reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to correct his mounts sooner than he did on this occasion. After the race, M F Poon stated that it was his intention to hold a more forward position on INSPIRING CITY, but after being crowded passing the 1100 Metres INSPIRING CITY settled further back in the field than had been intended. In the middle stages, VIVA A LA raced keenly and passing the 800 Metres was steadied away from the heels of HAPPY FOREVER. Then passing the 600 Metres, VIVA A LA got its head up when again being steadied away from HAPPY FOREVER. Near the 350 Metres, GOLDEN MISSION had difficulty obtaining clear running when improving to the outside of HAPPY FOREVER as that runner shifted out slightly. Near the 300 Metres, TOUCH FAITH was held up when racing tight to the inside of THIS IS GUTS. Then passing the 150 Metres, TOUCH FAITH again became held up when THIS IS GUTS shifted in slightly, resulting in TOUCH FAITH being held up between the 150 Metres and the 100 Metres. Approaching the 200 Metres, INSPIRING CITY was held up for clear running to the inside of HAPPY FOREVER and then near the 100 Metres was shifted to the outside of APEX TOP to secure clear running. COMPULSORY raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. When questioned regarding the performance of ZACIAN, C Y Ho stated that after being hampered in the early stages his mount settled in a position behind midfield. He added that when placed under pressure in the Straight ZACIAN was reluctant to shift to the outside of VIVA A LA and then over the final 300 Metres did not respond to his riding and raced in a disappointing manner. A veterinary inspection of ZACIAN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of COMPULSORY and STRIVE FOR GLORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ALLOY STAR, COLONEL and APEX TOP were sent for sampling.