12/10/2019  Shatin  Race 4

CENTRAL EXPRESS and STARSHIP were crowded for room on jumping between KING’S RACE and SHANGHAI RUSKY which was taken in by IMPECCABLE FELLOW (N Callan) which shifted in before being straightened by its rider. N Callan was reprimanded and told to ensure that he reacts quicker to his mounts shifting ground then he did on this occasion. This incident resulted in STARSHIP being checked and losing ground. SMART ROCKET was crowded for room on jumping between FUN TIMES and KELMIMI WINS, both of which shifted ground. From wide barriers, LITTLE GENERAL and LOTUS BREEZE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Also from a wide barrier, VILLA FIONN was shifted across behind runners in the early stages, however, was left racing wide and without cover after the 1000 Metres. When being steadied to obtain cover from a wide barrier, KELMIMI WINS travelled keenly in the early and middle stages and passing the 800 Metres was awkwardly placed behind VILLA FIONN. When continuing to be awkwardly placed behind VILLA FIONN near the 750 Metres, KELMIMI WINS shifted in, resulting in SMART ROCKET racing in restricted room. When questioned regarding the improved performance of KING’S RACE, Mr K H Ting, the trainer of that horse, stated that at its first up run this season a lot of use had to be made of KING’S RACE in an endeavour to obtain a forward position as instructed. He said, despite being ridden along, KING’S RACE did not show as much early speed as anticipated and raced further back in the field than had been intended. He said after that race the rider explained that KING’S RACE did not travel comfortably amongst horses and accordingly he had experimented with the gear worn by KING’S RACE since its last start. He said after initially applying blinkers to the horse, KING’S RACE travelled too keenly in its work and he therefore applied sheepskin cheek pieces to the horse. He said KING’S RACE had worked particularly well with the sheepskin cheek pieces on and when the horse drew barrier 1 today, he expected that it would race well given that he anticipated the horse would be able to lead from the inside barrier. A veterinary inspection of STARSHIP immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of SMART ROCKET immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KING’S RACE and FUN TIMES were sent for sampling.