17/04/2017  Shatin  Race 3

As the start was effected, ELUSIVE STATE lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. After this, from a wide barrier, ELUSIVE STATE was shifted across behind runners. Also from the outside barrier, BEST EFFORT was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Shortly after the start, KING BOUNTIFUL raced tight between GORGEOUS AGAIN and COOL AND NEAT. FANCY MUSIC shifted out shortly after the start and bumped PO CHING TREASURE. KING BOUNTIFUL lost its left front plate near the 1750 Metres. After the 1500 Metres, CHIU CHOW KID was left racing wide and without cover and was consequently allowed to stride forward to race outside the lead near the 1100 Metres. Passing the 1400 Metres, KING’S MAN was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PO CHING TREASURE. Passing the 900 Metres, KING’S MAN was steadied away from the heels of PO CHING TREASURE. For the majority of the race, FLYING MACHINE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, S Clipperton (COOL AND NEAT) stated that in the early stages he was able to obtain a trialing position behind FLYING MACHINE three wide. He said considering that COOL AND NEAT had drawn barrier 10, he was comfortable with this position and intended to maintain the position behind FLYING MACHINE in the early and middle stages. He said however that after the 1300 Metres FLYING MACHINE was steadied in an attempt to obtain cover which had the effect of coming back onto COOL AND NEAT. He said as the tempo of the race at this time was not fast, he formed the view that the race may develop into a “sit sprint” which would not be in COOL AND NEAT’s best interests, therefore he elected to allow COOL AND NEAT to improve around FLYING MACHINE and was able to obtain a position behind the leaders one horse off the rail when ASHKIYR shifted in to race on the rail passing the 1000 Metres. After the race, N Callan was unable to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of KING’S MAN. A veterinary inspection of KING’S MAN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of CHIU CHOW KID immediately following the race found that horse to be distressed. Before being allowed to race again, CHIU CHOW KID will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. KING’S MAN, GORGEOUS AGAIN and FANCY MUSIC were sent for sampling. <18/4/2017 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that COOL AND NEAT was lame in its right hind leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, COOL AND NEAT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.