19/12/2015  Shatin  Race 9

At declaration time, R Fourie was declared as the rider of both MCQUEEN and KIRAM. It was established that R Fourie had a firm commitment to ride MCQUEEN. As such, the Stewards permitted G Benoist to be substituted as the rider of KIRAM. For this declaration error, R Fourie was fined $2,000. PACKING GO GO was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, PACKING GO GO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TOO FAST and JOYFUL MOMENTS bumped on jumping. VICTORY MASTER was slow to begin. GOOD GOOD VIEW lost its right hind plate shortly after the start. From wide barriers, MCQUEEN, KIRAM and HAPPY AGILITY were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. At the 1400 Metres, INVINCIBLE FRESH, which was proving very difficult to settle, was checked away from the heels of GOOD GOOD VIEW (K C Ng). After this, INVINCIBLE FRESH continued to prove very difficult to settle. K C Ng reported that it had been intended for GOOD GOOD VIEW to be ridden in about 4th or 5th position behind the speed if possible, however, due to the circumstances of the race, from barrier 9, he was not able to obtain a position closer than three wide and without cover. Near the 1350 Metres, MCQUEEN got its head up when proving difficult to settle. Near the 150 Metres, MCQUEEN improved into tight running between INVINCIBLE FRESH and TOO FAST. Approaching the 100 Metres, H W Lai (HAPPY AGILITY) dropped his whip. Passing the 100 Metres, CHARITY KINGDOM was shifted to the outside of HAPPY PLACE after being disappointed for running between that horse and JOYFUL MOMENTS which shifted out marginally. In the Straight, HAPPY PLACE lay in under pressure. After the race, J Moreira (TOO FAST) stated that he was not able to offer any explanation for the horse's disappointing performance. He said although TOO FAST was obliged to race three wide, the horse was able to obtain cover throughout the race, however, when placed under pressure rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight TOO FAST was disappointing in its failure to quicken. A veterinary inspection of TOO FAST immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, K Teetan stated that as INVINCIBLE FRESH was attempting the 1600 Metres for the first time, he was instructed to find cover on the horse in about 4th or 5th position. He said whilst he was able to find cover in the early stages, due to the slow pace, INVINCIBLE FRESH raced fiercely and refused to settle and as a consequence was then not able to close off the race. A veterinary inspection of INVINCIBLE FRESH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TOO FAST, HAPPY PLACE and JOYFUL MOMENTS were sent for sampling.