04/11/2018  Shatin  Race 7

PAKISTAN STAR shifted in at the start and hampered GOLD MOUNT. EAGLE WAY was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. DINOZZO shifted out on jumping and bumped EXULTANT. PRAWN BABA shifted out at the start and bumped GLORIOUS FOREVER. After the 700 Metres, EXULTANT and EAGLE WAY raced tight as EAGLE WAY improved between EXULTANT and GOLD MOUNT which shifted out marginally. Approaching the 500 Metres, EXULTANT and EAGLE WAY (S de Sousa) again raced tight as EAGLE WAY shifted to the outside of PRAWN BABA. S de Sousa was advised that whilst the Stewards appreciate competitive riding, he must ensure that he does not place undue pressure on other horses and riders. He was also warned for extending his left elbow away from his body during this incident. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of PAKISTAN STAR, K Teetan stated that after beginning well his mount initially travelled kindly in the early stages. He said passing the 1600 Metres, PAKISTAN STAR was reluctant to hold its position and commenced to lose ground. He said after riding his mount along for a short distance PAKISTAN STAR then commenced to over-race and passing the 1400 Metres got its head up when being checked away from the heels of PRAWN BABA. He said PAKISTAN STAR continued to over-race until passing the 1200 Metres at which time it commenced to relax. He said PAKISTAN STAR then travelled comfortably and when shifted to the outside of DINOZZO rounding the Home Turn initially quickened well. He added however that over the latter stages of the race PAKISTAN STAR weakened which he attributed to the manner in which the horse over-raced in the early stages. Mr A S Cruz, the trainer of PAKISTAN STAR, was shown the video footage of the horse passing the 1600 Metres. He said it was noted that this was the first occasion that PAKISTAN STAR had raced over 1800 Metres since being retired out of the race on 25 June 2017. He said he was of the opinion that the horse’s performance today could be attributed to the fact that it would not settle and over-raced after being ridden along after the 1600 Metres. He added it is now his intention to step the horse up in distance to 2000 Metres where he believes it will be better suited. A veterinary inspection of PAKISTAN STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. When PAKISTAN STAR lost ground passing the 1600 Metres, DINOZZO, which was following, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence and subsequently travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the improved performance of TIME WARP, Mr A S Cruz, the trainer of the horse, stated that he attributed the improvement in form to the fact that the horse was able to lead the race. He said he is of the view that TIME WARP has shown its best form when able to dictate the terms of the race which it was able to do today. He said the horse had shown itself to relax best when able to obtain an outright lead which provides it with the best opportunity to finish off the race. He said at its first up run this season, TIME WARP was not able to lead BEAUTY GENERATION and he attributed the horse’s disappointing performance on that occasion to the fact that it was unable to cross that horse. He added that, in his opinion, TIME WARP also resents the whip being used behind the saddle and therefore he instructed Z Purton to use the whip sparingly on the horse in today’s race. After the race, EAGLE WAY was heard to be making an abnormal respiratory noise. An endoscopic examination of EAGLE WAY did not reveal any significant findings. TIME WARP and GLORIOUS FOREVER were sent for sampling.