22/01/2017  Shatin  Race 4

DOUBLE DOWN was withdrawn on 20.1.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind foot) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter MASSIVE MILLENNIUM (D Whyte). Before being allowed to race again, DOUBLE DOWN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MASSIVE MILLENNIUM began very awkwardly and got its head up on a number of occasions, resulting in the horse losing ground. A short distance after the start, MASSIVE MILLENNIUM, from a wide barrier, was shifted across behind runners. FORMULA GALORE began only fairly. C P POWER and HAPPY BEAUTY lost ground when crowded for room on jumping between NOTHINGILIKEMORE which shifted out and HALL OF FAME which shifted in away from WILD BOY. After this, C P POWER was hard ridden to make up lost ground, however, travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. C P POWER also made the Home Turn awkwardly and shifted out. From the outside barrier, GENTILIS was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. After the 1100 Metres, FOXBAT and EXCEL ONESELF raced tight inside HOT HOT PEPPER which was taken in momentarily by WILD BOY which was then shifted out to relieve the tightening. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, HIGH VOLATILITY got its head on the side when awkwardly placed close to the heels of FOXBAT. Rounding the Home Turn, WILD BOY raced tight between HAPPY GAINS and HOT HOT PEPPER which got its head on the side and lay out. Passing the 350 Metres, FOXBAT was steadied when disappointed for running between HOT HOT PEPPER and WILD BOY. SUPER EURO STAR was held up for clear running passing the 300 Metres and for some distance after the 250 Metres was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WILD BOY when attempting to improve into tight running between that horse and HAPPY GAINS. After initially being disappointed for running between those horses, SUPER EURO STAR was shifted away from the heels of WILD BOY near the 150 Metres to obtain clear running, resulting in HAPPY GAINS being crowded for room inside EXCEL ONESELF. A veterinary inspection of WILD BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NOTHINGILIKEMORE and HIGH VOLATILITY were sent for sampling.