17/04/2017  Shatin  Race 7

PAKISTAN BABY lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently was slow to begin. HAIR TRIGGER began only fairly and was then bumped by THE JUDGE which shifted in. STAR OF JOY shifted out at the start and bumped MORETHANLUCKY. THE JUDGE and RIGHT HONOURABLE were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. THE JUDGE lay out making the turn near the 900 Metres. Passing the 900 Metres, MORETHANLUCKY got its head on the side, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of MR PICASSO which became unbalanced. Rounding the Home Turn, LOOK ERAS became unbalanced after being bumped by MOST BEAUTIFUL (Apprentice K K Chiong) which lay in. STAR OF JOY, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence. Apprentice Chiong was reprimanded and advised that she would be expected to make every endeavour to afford horses racing to her inside comfortable racing room. When MOST BEAUTIFUL was shifted out to relieve the tightening to LOOK ERAS, MONEY BOY was directed out away from the heels of MOST BEAUTIFUL. As STAR OF JOY was being shifted to the inside of MOST BEAUTIFUL in an attempt to obtain clear running after the 400 Metres, MOST BEAUTIFUL, which was commencing to give ground, shifted in under pressure, resulting in STAR OF JOY having to be checked when disappointed for running between MOST BEAUTIFUL and LOOK ERAS which was also giving ground. As STAR OF JOY had not established running to the inside of MOST BEAUTIFUL, the Stewards took no further action other than to reprimand Apprentice Chiong and advise her that in similar circumstances she would be expected to do more to prevent her mount from shifting ground than she did on this occasion. HAIR TRIGGER, which was following STAR OF JOY, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence after being held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 250 Metres, MORETHANLUCKY was momentarily held up for clear running behind MR PICASSO which shifted in marginally. Passing the 200 Metres, STAR OF JOY was again disappointed for running between MOST BEAUTIFUL and LOOK ERAS which were continuing to give ground. Consequently STAR OF JOY was not able to be tested until passing the 150 Metres. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MOST BEAUTIFUL, Apprentice K K Chiong stated that as instructed she allowed her mount to stride forward in the early stages. . She said passing the 900 Metres she felt as though LOOK ERAS, which was racing to the inside of MOST BEAUTIFUL, was being steadied and therefore she allowed her mount to improve forward of that horse with a view to crossing to the rail. She said however that LOOK ERAS continued to maintain its position inside MOST BEAUTIFUL after the 800 Metres and as the tempo of the race at this stage was strong, she desisted in attempting to cross that horse and remained racing to the outside of LOOK ERAS. She said MOST BEAUTIFUL came under pressure in the early part of the Straight and after the 300 Metres commenced to give ground and weakened over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of MOST BEAUTIFUL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MOST BEAUTIFUL, a favourite for today’s race and which finished last, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MOST BEAUTIFUL 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 MORETHANLUCKY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MOST BEAUTIFUL, LUCKY GUY and PAKISTAN BABY were sent for sampling.