01/01/2018  Shatin  Race 1

STRIKING STAR lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently was slow to begin. UNBEATABLE GUTS shifted in at the start and bumped GOLDEN CANNON which became unbalanced. LAUGHING LORD shifted out at the start and made heavy contact with FAIR COMMENT which became unbalanced. SOCCER BRAVE lost its left hind plate at the start. From wide barriers, WINNING BOY and CHEERS CONQUEROR were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. From the outside barrier, JOYFUL FOREVER was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners, however, for the majority of the race travelled wide and without cover. GOLDEN CANNON travelled keenly in the early stages. Approaching the 1000 Metres, FAIR COMMENT shifted out and bumped WINNING BOY which was travelling keenly when being steadied to obtain cover behind JOYFUL FOREVER. Approaching the 500 Metres, STRIKING STAR got its head up when awkwardly placed inside the heels of LAUGHING LORD. At the entrance to the Straight, UNBEATABLE GUTS and FAIR COMMENT raced tight. VICTOR EMPEROR was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and after briefly obtaining clear running approaching the 300 Metres was steadied when disappointed for running between FAIR COMMENT and JOYFUL FOREVER which shifted in. This resulted in VICTOR EMPEROR being unable to obtain clear running until approaching the 200 Metres. Passing the 250 Metres, FAIR COMMENT raced tight outside LAUGHING LORD which shifted out to obtain clear running. Near the 75 Metres, STRIKING STAR got its head on the side and lay in behind DON WONGCHOY. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that DON WONGCHOY had sustained a wound over the back of the right hind fetlock. Before being allowed to race again, DON WONGCHOY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GOLDEN CANNON lay in under pressure over the concluding stages. When questioned, C Schofield stated that as SCARBOROUGH FAIR has a tendency to race keenly, he was asked to ride the horse quietly in the early stages and obtain a position in about midfield with cover from barrier 11. He said after beginning well he immediately commenced to steady SCARBOROUGH FAIR in an attempt to obtain cover, however, the horse commenced to prove very difficult to settle and travelled too keenly. He said shortly after the start he attempted to position SCARBOROUGH FAIR outside SOCCER BRAVE, however, SCARBOROUGH FAIR continued to prove very difficult to settle and he had no option but to allow the horse to improve into the lead. He added after continuing to race keenly, SCARBOROUGH FAIR raced more tractably after the 900 Metres, but by this time it had already established somewhat of a margin over the remainder of the field. A veterinary inspection of UNBEATABLE GUTS immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of FAIR COMMENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WINNING BOY, SOCCER BRAVE and GOLDEN CANNON were sent for sampling. <2/1/2018 Additional Veterinary Report>UNBEATABLE GUTS, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time the horse had bled from both nostrils. UNBEATABLE GUTS was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer L Ho this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, UNBEATABLE GUTS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.