12/11/2016  Shatin  Race 5

BEST HOPE was withdrawn on 11.11.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter GOLD DRAGON (C Schofield). Before being allowed to race again, BEST HOPE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ELECTRONIC PHOENIX began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of TRUE COMMENT which became unbalanced. ELECTRONIC PHOENIX lost its right front plate shortly after the start. From wide barriers, GO SANDY GO, ROYAL SPIRIT and SPEEDY WALLY were all steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages, LUCKY HAMMER failed to muster speed and then when left racing very wide making the first turn was steadied and shifted in to obtain cover. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, SUM WIN DRAGON was momentarily eased away from the heels of MASTER GOLD. SUM WIN DRAGON lost its right hind plate near the 1400 Metres. Passing the 1300 Metres, SPEEDY WALLY was shifted out away from the heels of GOLD DRAGON. SPEEDY WALLY was then left racing wide and without cover near the 1000 Metres. Near the 1250 Metres, ROYAL SPIRIT proved very difficult to settle, got its head up on a number of occasions and became unbalanced when checked. Approaching the 1200 Metres, SUM WIN DRAGON commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of MASTER GOLD. After entering the Back Straight near the 1100 Metres, FLYING PROSPERITY became very unbalanced after shifting in towards the rail of its own accord. Approaching the turn near the 700 Metres, SUM WIN DRAGON again got its head up when awkwardly placed behind MASTER GOLD. ELECTRONIC PHOENIX, which was following SUM WIN DRAGON, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. IMPERIAL CONCORDE (S de Sousa) was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn and near the 400 Metres was checked away from the heels of FLYING PROSPERITY which came under pressure. IMPERIAL CONCORDE shifted out away from the heels of FLYING PROSPERITY and bumped the hindquarters of FURIOUS PEGASUS after the 400 Metres. IMPERIAL CONCORDE was then held up for clear running and after attempting to improve between FLYING PROSPERITY and FURIOUS PEGASUS where there was insufficient room was checked near the 250 Metres and shifted to the outside of FURIOUS PEGASUS to obtain clear running. When IMPERIAL CONCORDE was checked, FLYING PROSPERITY, which was giving ground abruptly, was also hampered. S de Sousa was told that whilst the Stewards accepted that FLYING PROSPERITY giving ground had played a significant part in this incident, nonetheless he must exercise more care when attempting to improve into runs which are not properly available. For the majority of the race, DIAMOND FRIENDS travelled wide and without cover. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of S de Sousa (IMPERIAL CONCORDE), 5th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse’s finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels all the way to the end of the race where circumstances permit. ELECTRONIC PHOENIX and MASTER GOLD were sent for sampling.