01/01/2016  Shatin  Race 10

APPROVE began awkwardly. TRAVEL AMBASSADOR was slow to begin. JOLLY JOLLY began only fairly and was ridden along in the early stages to make up lost ground. From wide barriers, GOOD CHOICE and VICTORY MASTER were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. At the 1500 Metres, EASTERN EXPRESS and HAPPY AGILITY bumped. Near the 1300 Metres, HAPPY AGILITY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GRAND HARBOUR. Again making the turn after the 900 Metres, HAPPY AGILITY was steadied away from the heels of GRAND HARBOUR which got its head up when racing close to the heels of APPROVE. After this, HAPPY AGILITY continued to prove very difficult to settle and shifted out away from the heels of GRAND HARBOUR, resulting in EASTERN EXPRESS being taken wider. Passing the 800 Metres, EASTERN EXPRESS was steadied to obtain a position with cover behind HAPPY AGILITY. KIRAM had difficulty obtaining clear running until after the 300 Metres. Passing the 300 Metres, GOOD CHOICE raced in restricted room between TRAVEL AMBASSADOR and GRAND HARBOUR which lay in under pressure. GOOD CHOICE then had difficulty obtaining clear running approaching the 200 Metres when improving into tight running between CHEERFUL BOY and GRAND HARBOUR. Approaching the 100 Metres, GRAND HARBOUR was momentarily steadied away from the heels of THE SHOW. Throughout the race, THE SHOW travelled wide and without cover. The performance of APPROVE, which gave ground abruptly in the Straight and subsequently finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, APPROVE 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 APPROVE and JOLLY JOLLY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. JOLLY JOLLY, GONNA RUN and KIRAM were sent for sampling.