01/07/2017  Shatin  Race 7

After weighing out to ride HANG’S DECISION in this race and whilst the horse was being saddled up, K C Leung took ill and consequently was not able to fulfil his riding engagement. Due to the late nature of the indisposition and as no other rider was available to ride HANG’S DECISION at or near the horse’s allocated weight of 116 lbs, permission was granted for B Prebble to ride HANG’S DECISION 4 lbs overweight. After initially being presented in the Parade Ring with K C Leung’s saddle, HANG’S DECISION was removed from the parade to facilitate the late re-saddling of the horse. MONGOLIAN KING was slow to begin. HEROIC GURU began only fairly. CIRCUIT HASSLER and LIMITLESS bumped at the start. From the outside barrier, HAPPY AGILITY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. LIMITLESS travelled keenly after the 1100 Metres. Throughout the race, ALMABABY travelled wide and without cover. After the race, B Prebble was momentarily dislodged from HANG’S DECISION without incident. When questioned, S Clipperton stated that as LUCKY GIRL was racing over 1400 Metres, it was felt that the horse may not have sufficient early speed to be racing with the leaders as it was anticipated that the race would be run at a strong tempo. He said he was asked to begin positively on LUCKY GIRL if possible and then have the horse racing where it was comfortable. He said LUCKY GIRL began only fairly and, as his mount was clearly out-paced in the early stages, he attempted to shift across behind runners and improve ground in an attempt to obtain a position in about midfield. He said whilst today’s race was run at a strong tempo which suited horses coming from towards the back of the field, nonetheless LUCKY GIRL finished off the race satisfactorily given the distance of the race and the fact that it was not able to lead today’s race. When questioned, Z Purton stated that in the early part of the Straight he shifted LIMITLESS to the inside of HANG’S DECISION as SAUL’S SPECIAL, which was racing to the outside of that horse, was commencing to give ground. He said at the 400 Metres clear running was available ahead of LIMITLESS, however, the horse commenced to hang in badly as it did at its most recent start. He said however LIMITLESS hung in more severely today than it did at its last start and he had to apply heavy pressure to the outside rein to prevent the horse from continuing to hang in. He said passing the 250 Metres he was able to change his whip over into his right hand and at this time he dropped his right rein. He said because of the manner in which LIMITLESS was hanging in, he was not able to properly test the horse in the early part of the Straight. He added after the 200 Metres whilst LIMITLESS was continuing to hang in, he was able to direct that horse to the outside of MY DARLING. He said LIMITLESS then continued to hang in under pressure and proved difficult to ride and it was not until the concluding stages that LIMITLESS improved to be racing directly to the outside of MY DARLING and then commenced to race more tractably. The racing manners of LIMITLESS were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LIMITLESS will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. When questioned, Apprentice M F Poon stated that he had been asked to ride LINE SEEKER in a forward position from its inside barrier and obtain a position behind the leaders if possible. He said he was also told that as LINE SEEKER has well-documented breathing problems, he should not unnecessarily restrain the horse. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount along in the early stages to establish a forward position and LINE SEEKER then travelled keenly. He said having in mind that he was asked not to restrain LINE SEEKER too heavily, he attempted to steady the tempo on the horse with a view to allowing runners to his outside to cross LINE SEEKER. He said however when those horses remained racing outside LINE SEEKER, this resulted in LINE SEEKER having to lead the race and travelling too keenly. He said for this reason LINE SEEKER was then not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of LINE SEEKER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Following the race, SAUL’S SPECIAL was noted to have a small quantity of blood at the left nostril due to an abrasion. An endoscopic examination of SAUL’S SPECIAL deemed that horse not to have bled. The performance of SAUL’S SPECIAL, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SAUL’S SPECIAL 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 THE GOLDEN AGE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MY DARLING, HANG’S DECISION and CIRCUIT HASSLER were sent for sampling.