30/01/2017  Shatin  Race 4

BLIZZARD was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, AMAZING KIDS was bumped by AEROVELOCITY. MERION was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. After the 1000 Metres, STRATHMORE was bumped by LUCKY BUBBLES which shifted in. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, BLIZZARD got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of AMAZING KIDS and shifted out, resulting in MERION being bumped and taken wider. After this, MERION got its head on the side and hung out. Rounding the Home Turn, MERION was again bumped and taken wider by BLIZZARD. In the early part of the Straight and passing the 300 Metres, NOT LISTENIN’TOME raced tight inside AEROVELOCITY which got its head on the side and lay in. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of AEROVELOCITY, Z Purton stated that after being aggressively ridden for some distance in the early stages to obtain a forward position, the horse then did not travel on the bridle throughout the middle stages and came under pressure after the 500 Metres. He said the race was not run at a particularly fast tempo and for this reason it was concerning that AEROVELOCITY was under the amount of pressure that it was prior to the Home Turn. He added he placed AEROVELOCITY under full pressure in the early part of the Straight, however, the horse did not respond and was disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of AEROVELOCITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, C Schofield expressed some concern regarding the action of STRATHMORE. A veterinary inspection of STRATHMORE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PENIAPHOBIA and LUCKY BUBBLES were sent for sampling. <1/2/2017 Additional Veterinary Report>The Veterinary Officer reported that MERION was lame in its left front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, MERION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.