19/03/2017  Shatin  Race 5

UNIQUE JOYOUS was slow to begin. KING’S MAN shifted in at the start and bumped BEST EFFORT which as a result was awkwardly placed outside the heels of RHODE ASSASSIN. FLYING MACHINE began awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in BEAUTY LOVE and COOL AND NEAT being hampered. Then from the outside barrier, COOL AND NEAT was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Shortly after the start, C P POWER shifted in and bumped WINGOLD. Passing the 1500 Metres, RATTAN and WINGOLD bumped when racing in restricted room between C P POWER and TRIUMPHANT LIGHT, both of which shifted ground. Passing the 1200 Metres, RATTAN was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WINNING VIBE. Passing the 800 Metres, FLYING MACHINE was taken wider and without cover by WINNING VIBE which shifted out. Passing the 400 Metres, BEST EFFORT was checked when held up for clear running behind TRIUMPHANT LIGHT which was giving ground. Also passing the 400 Metres, WINNING VIBE shifted in of its own accord and bumped KING’S MAN which resulted in that horse racing tight between WINNING VIBE and THE SHOW. A short distance later, WINNING VIBE was checked when crowded for room between KING’S MAN and COOL AND NEAT (J Moreira) which got its head on the side and shifted in before being directed back out to relieve the tightening to WINNING VIBE. J Moreira was advised that whilst WINNING VIBE had initiated the incident due to its racing manners and was consequently unbalanced, nonetheless he must ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. Passing the 300 Metres, THE SHOW, which was giving ground, was steadied away from the heels of KING’S MAN (H Bowman) which, when racing with its head on the side, shifted in under pressure. H Bowman was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Throughout the race, THE SHOW travelled wide and without cover. The performances of BEAUTY LOVE, TRIUMPHANT LIGHT and FLYING MACHINE, all of which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BEAUTY LOVE, TRIUMPHANT LIGHT and FLYING MACHINE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, Apprentice K K Chiong (TRIUMPHANT LIGHT) stated that she had been instructed to attempt to lead if possible, however, if BEAUTY LOVE, another horse which was anticipated to take up a forward position, wanted to go too hard, then she could take a trailing position behind that horse. She said in the early stages she rode her mount along in an endeavour to lead as was her primary instruction. She said as BEAUTY LOVE improved to the outside of TRIUMPHANT LIGHT passing the 1200 Metres, she rode her mount along to ensure that she held the lead, however, when the rider of BEAUTY LOVE did not continue forward, she immediately endeavoured to steady the tempo in the lead on TRIUMPHANT LIGHT. She said however that TRIUMPHANT LIGHT, as is usual, raced with its head on the side and lay out and she attempted to have the horse race closer to the rail whilst also attempting to steady the tempo in front as she was aware that the race was being run at a faster tempo than she would have liked. She said however that, despite her efforts, TRIUMPHANT LIGHT continued to race away from the rail and lay out and because of this she was not able to steady the tempo in the lead as much as she had hoped. Apprentice Chiong added that TRIUMPHANT LIGHT continued to lay out and shifted out further rounding the Home Turn. A veterinary inspection of TRIUMPHANT LIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of WINNING VIBE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RATTAN and COOL AND NEAT were sent for sampling.