22/10/2017  Shatin  Race 6

HELENE CHARISMA was slow to begin. GOLD MOUNT and PIKACHU began only fairly. PRAWN BABA shifted in at the start and bumped SOLAR HEI HEI. From wide barriers, GENERAL SHERMAN and RICKFIELD were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. After the 1100 Metres, GREEN DISPATCH and SOLAR HEI HEI raced tight as GREEN DISPATCH shifted in when travelling close to the heels of DOYENI. On two occasions after the 900 Metres, GREEN DISPATCH turned its head towards SOLAR HEI HEI. Having regard to the fact that GREEN DISPATCH had previously come under notice for having turned its head towards another runner, the Stewards advised Mr C S Shum, the trainer of GREEN DISPATCH, that the horse must undergo a series of satisfactory consecutive barrier trials amongst other runners before being allowed to race again. RICKFIELD was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 250 Metres was shifted to the inside of DINOZZO after being disappointed for running between that horse and MARVEL HERO. In the Straight, HELENE CHARISMA hung in under pressure and proved difficult to ride. Throughout the race, SUPREME PROFIT travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, K Teetan (PRAWN BABA) stated that he was asked to ride the horse in a forward position and race outside the lead and, unless no other horse was intent on leading, then it was acceptable for him to lead. He said when racing outside SOLAR HEI HEI in the early stages, PRAWN BABA travelled strongly and when PRAWN BABA gained an advantage over SOLAR HEI HEI after the 1400 Metres, he allowed PRAWN BABA to improve into the lead of its own accord. He said PRAWN BABA continued to travel strongly and as the horse is one-paced, he commenced to allow it to stride along after the 900 Metres as he did not want another runner to challenge PRAWN BABA. He added had he have continued to hold up PRAWN BABA, given that it had previously shown to be one-paced, he believed that the horse would not be able to quicken which would have been to the detriment of the horse’s opportunity to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of HELENE CHARISMA, PIKACHU and GREEN DISPATCH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DINOZZO, GOLD MOUNT and DOYENI were sent for sampling.