05/11/2017  Shatin  Race 5

PROUD SKY was buffeted for room on jumping between ASSOCIATION FANS and SEMPITERNAL which shifted out. From wide barriers, EXCELLENCE, CITY WINNER and HAPPY ROCKY were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From the outside barrier, KING BOUNTIFUL was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages and, despite being vigorously ridden along in the early and middle stages, became detached from the field. After the race, M Chadwick stated that, despite being ridden along, KING BOUNTIFUL was reluctant to stretch out in the early part of the race. Passing the 1700 Metres, JE PENSE was crowded for room between SEMPITERNAL and MIDNITE PROMISE which was taken out marginally by PO CHING TREASURE. After the 1200 Metres, ASSOCIATION FANS was left racing wide and without cover. At the 600 Metres, SEMPITERNAL was bumped by FANCY MUSIC which shifted out. In the Straight, ASSOCIATION FANS hung in and proved difficult to ride. Over the concluding stages, ASSOCIATION FANS was awkwardly placed outside the heels of XINJIANG YARN when continuing to hang in and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. When questioned, J Moreira stated that he was instructed to obtain a forward position on MIDNIGHT PROMISE and lead the race if possible. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount vigorously in the early stages, however, MIDNITE PROMISE did not show as much early speed as anticipated. He said PO CHING TREASURE, which was drawn immediately to the inside of MIDNITE PROMISE, always held a margin over MIDNITE PROMISE in the early stages and when it became apparent to him approaching the 1700 Metres that MIDNITE PROMISE would not be able to obtain a forward position, he steadied the horse and obtained a position with cover on the rail but further back in the field than had been intended. He said MIDNITE PROMISE travelled satisfactorily throughout the middle stages and was able to improve its position inside KING WINSA after the 700 Metres when that horse shifted away from the rail. He said after the 400 Metres he rode MIDNITE PROMISE along to improve into tight running between ASSOCIATION FANS and XINJIANG YARN, however, ASSOCIATION FANS lay in under pressure and XINJIANG YARN was inclined to shift out which resulted in MIDNITE PROMISE being unable to improve between those horses and being steadied after the 300 Metres. He added ASSOCIATION FANS and XINJIANG YARN continued to race tight until after the 200 Metres when a narrow run again presented itself and he immediately commenced to ride MIDNITE PROMISE forward in an attempt to improve. He said however that XINJIANG YARN drifted out under pressure which resulted in MIDNITE PROMISE being badly held up for clear running and not able to be properly tested over the last 150 Metres. He said the manner in which MIDNITE PROMISE was travelling gave him the impression that, had the horse obtained clear running, it would have finished off the race strongly. Mr F C Lor, the trainer of MIDNITE PROMISE, confirmed the intention had been for the horse to lead the race if possible. He said, after viewing the videos, he was satisfied that Jockey Moreira had afforded MIDNITE PROMISE the opportunity to go forward, however, the horse did not show as much early speed as was anticipated. A veterinary inspection of MIDNITE PROMISE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, B Prebble stated that he was asked to try and shift away from the rail and make his run to the outside of other horses if possible as KING WINSA had previously performed well when ridden in this manner. He said after beginning from barrier 1, he was able to shift away from the rail after the 700 Metres to follow PROUD SKY. He said KING WINSA was unable to improve approaching the 500 Metres when racing behind PROUD SKY, however, after obtaining clear running in the Straight finished off the race only fairly. He added though he felt that the horse did not fully stretch out on today’s track surface. A veterinary inspection of KING WINSA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MIDNITE PROMISE, JE PENSE and HAPPY ROCKY were sent for sampling.