10/07/2016  Shatin  Race 11

ALL YOU WISH was checked at the start when crowded for room between PIKACHU and HARRIER JET which got its head on the side and shifted out despite the efforts of its rider. In this incident, ALL YOU WISH bumped the hindquarters of PIKACHU, causing that horse to become unbalanced. ROYAL ELITE shifted in at the start, resulting in SILVERFIELD being crowded for room. For some distance after the 1000 Metres, MERION travelled keenly and proved difficult to settle. Passing the 800 Metres, HARRIER JET was shifted out away from the heels of SPICY SURE which was proving very difficult to settle, resulting in INVINCIBLE DRAGON and MERION being taken wider. HARRIER JET then shifted out further approaching the 700 Metres when being checked away from the heels of CAGA FORCE, resulting in INVINCIBLE DRAGON being crowded for room inside MERION. After the 800 Metres, WINSTON’S LAD shifted out away from the heels of CAGA FORCE, resulting in WINSTON’S LAD racing wide and without cover for the remainder of the race and SILVERFIELD being taken wider still. For some distance after the 800 Metres, SPICY SURE got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed close to the heels of APOLLO’S CHOICE. At the entrance to the Straight, APOLLO’S CHOICE attempted to improve between BORNTOACHIEVE and HAMMER KING which was racing tight inside WINSTON’S LAD. Then at the 400 Metres, APOLLO’S CHOICE was severely checked when disappointed for running between BORNTOACHIEVE which was giving ground abruptly and HAMMER KING which continued to be held up for clear running behind SO FAST and inside WINSTON’S LAD. HAMMER KING and APOLLO’S CHOICE were not able to obtain clear running until near the 350 Metres. PIKACHU lost its right hind plate after the 400 Metres. Near the 350 Metres, ROYAL ELITE was momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of ALL YOU WISH which shifted out to improve. Over the final 200 Metres, SPICY SURE hung in and proved difficult to ride. Near the 50 Metres, PIKACHU, which was improving between MERION and SPICY SURE, was severely checked and lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled when MERION (D Whyte) got its head on the side and shifted in abruptly away from ALL YOU WISH. As the Stewards were satisfied that D Whyte could not have reacted any quicker than he did to the abrupt shift of MERION, no further action was taken despite the significant interference suffered by PIKACHU. Because of this incident, both PIKACHU and MERION were not able to be ridden out to the end of the race. For the majority of the race, SILVERFIELD travelled wide and without cover. The performances of SILVERFIELD and BORNTOACHIEVE, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SILVERFIELD and BORNTOACHIEVE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of HARRIER JET immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. INVINCIBLE DRAGON, ALL YOU WISH and SPICY SURE were sent for sampling.