12/07/2015  Shatin  Race 4

After being loaded, SO FAST became fractious. Before being allowed to race again, SO FAST will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. WINGOLD began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, I’M THE WON FOR U was momentarily crowded for room between SUPER FLUKE and SO FAST, both of which shifted ground. In this incident, SO FAST became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by I’M THE WON FOR U. From wide barriers, FAIRY EAGLE and NONE OTHER were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After being ridden along in the early stages, OUR FOLKS failed to muster speed and after the 1100 Metres was steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Approaching the 900 Metres, WINGOLD became badly unbalanced and lost ground when reluctant to maintain its position inside SUPER FLUKE. Then making the turn after the 900 Metres, WINGOLD got its head up, hung out across the heels of SUPER FLUKE and was checked. FAIRY EAGLE, which was following, was severely checked and blundered when badly crowded for room between WINGOLD and LET ME DO. An examination by the Veterinary Officer of WINGOLD immediately following the race did not reveal any significant findings. The racing manners of WINGOLD were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, WINGOLD will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial around a bend. Approaching the 800 Metres, THE PRINCE was steadied away from the heels of SO FAST which was steadied to allow GENTILIS to cross. Rounding the Home Turn, I’M THE WON FOR U was brushed by SUPER FLUKE which shifted out away from the heels of THE PRINCE to obtain clear running. SO FAST lost its left front plate passing the 200 Metres. Throughout the race, SENSATION travelled wide and without cover. The declaration of weighed-in was deferred whilst the Stewards considered an application by N Callan, the rider of BOTH LUCKY, and Mr P F Yiu, the trainer of that horse, that BOTH LUCKY be declared a non-runner due to an incident at the start. After taking evidence from Jockey Callan, Mr Yiu and Mr T McGovern, Starter and after viewing the official videos, the Stewards found that simultaneously with the start being effected BOTH LUCKY reared, resulting in the horse losing a considerable amount of ground. The Stewards found that during this incident a starting gate handler was attempting to assist Jockey Callan and BOTH LUCKY and at no stage did that starting gate handler prevent BOTH LUCKY from being afforded a fair start. As the Stewards formed the opinion that BOTH LUCKY had been afforded a fair start, the horse was deemed to be a runner. Before being allowed to race again, BOTH LUCKY will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. When questioned regarding the performance of SO FAST, J Moreira stated that his mount, which was having only its second race start in Hong Kong today, raced greenly throughout. He said after being crossed by GENTILIS making the first turn, SO FAST was inclined to shift ground on a number of occasions and did not race as truly as he had hoped. He said rounding the Home Turn SO FAST was reluctant to maintain its position when racing in restricted room between SENSATION and GENTILIS which got its head on the side and lay out. He said for this reason he shifted SO FAST to the outside of SENSATION to make its finishing run. He added in the early part of the Straight SO FAST was left flat-footed and near the 200 Metres was awkwardly placed when racing close to the heels of SENSATION due to both horses shifting ground. He said after this, in his opinion, SO FAST finished off the race quite well and would be improved by today’s race given that it is relatively immature at this time. A veterinary inspection of SO FAST immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. SO FAST, MIDNIGHT RATTLER and LET ME DO were sent for sampling.