18/06/2017  Shatin  Race 3

TELECOM TITAN was slow to begin and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of PENZANCE which, after being fractious in the barriers, began only fairly and then was bumped by EXPERTO CREDE which shifted in. AMBITIOUS PINS was crowded for room on jumping between HAR HAR HEART which shifted out and GOOD METHOD (Apprentice H T Mo) which shifted in marginally. GOOD METHOD then continued to shift in when being ridden along, resulting in HAR HAR HEART being steadied away from the heels of that horse a short distance later. Apprentice Mo was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he exercises due care when riding his mounts along from the start. After this, AMBITIOUS PINS was shifted across behind runners. Also from the outside barriers, VIVA COUNCIL and MONEY WINNER were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. At the entrance to the Straight, TELECOM TITAN (H W Lai) shifted out and bumped MONEY WINNER which became unbalanced. H W Lai was reprimanded and advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have done more to correct his mount prior to TELECOM TITAN making contact with MONEY WINNER. Passing the 400 Metres, SUPERIOR BOY was shifted in to obtain clear running after being disappointed for a run between GOOD METHOD and EXPERTO CREDE. Throughout the race, HAR HAR HEART travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, U Rispoli stated that he was instructed to ride VIVA COUNCIL quietly in the early stages as the horse had previously shown a propensity to hang out in its races. He said making the turn after the 900 Metres VIVA COUNCIL immediately commenced to get its head on the side and hang out. He said he followed AMBITIOUS PINS in the middle stages whilst VIVA COUNCIL continued to hang out and he was reluctant to allow the horse to shift to the outside of AMBITIOUS PINS as he felt that it would hang out more. He said passing the 500 Metres he rode his mount along to have it improve its position and VIVA COUNCIL shifted out a number of horses and proved very difficult to ride. He said he was unable to change his whip over into his right hand as the horse was hanging to the extent that he was reluctant to loosen the right rein as he believed the horse would shift out abruptly. He added approaching the 300 Metres VIVA COUNCIL again shifted out a number of horses which resulted in him having to attempt to straighten the horse and then ride it out as best as he was able in the Straight whilst the horse continued to hang out. The racing manners of VIVA COUNCIL were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, VIVA COUNCIL will be required to perform satisfactorily in a series of consecutive barrier trials around a bend. After the race, J Moreira (PENZANCE) stated that, in his opinion, the horse, which was having its first race start, did not handle today’s track conditions. A veterinary inspection of PENZANCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of PENZANCE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PENZANCE 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 SILVERFIELD and GOOD METHOD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. METALLIC STAR and EXPERTO CREDE were sent for sampling.