01/01/2018  Shatin  Race 5

AGREE began only fairly. UNICRON JEWELLERY was crowded for room on jumping between THE SHOW which shifted out marginally and MI BLANCO which shifted in. In this incident, THE SHOW became unbalanced when bumped by UNICRON JEWELLERY. After this, UNICRON JEWELLERY was ridden along, however, failed to muster speed and consequently was steadied and shifted across behind runners passing the 1400 Metres. From the outside barrier, MI BIANCO was shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. In the early stages, JOYFUL PARK was steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. FORTUNE GIGGLES lost its right hind plate near the 700 Metres. THE SHOW travelled wide and without cover until near the 700 Metres at which time the horse shifted in to race outside the lead. After this, STARLIT KNIGHT was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 400 Metres, FORTUNE GIGGLES was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPEEDY WALLY. JOYFUL PARK, which was following FORTUNE GIGGLES, was shifted in away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Then approaching and passing the 300 Metres, JOYFUL PARK had some difficulty obtaining a run and passing the 200 Metres was shifted to the outside of THE SHOW to obtain clear running. Approaching the 250 Metres, UNICRON JEWELLERY shifted in and brushed GODSPEED which became unbalanced. Approaching the 100 Metres, GODSPEED and UNICRON JEWELLERY brushed. When questioned, D Whyte stated that he was asked to have ELECTRIC LIGHTNING racing where it was comfortable from an inside barrier. He said after riding his mount along in the early stages, DESMIOS, GODSPEED and FORTUNE GIGGLES were also all ridden along to his inside. He said he therefore elected to steady his mount and obtain a trailing position behind those runners rather than ride it along in an attempt to clear them. He said ELECTRIC LIGHTNING appears to be losing its early speed and may be suited by a step-up in distance in the near future. When questioned, A Sanna stated that he was asked to ride SPEEDY WALLY in about a midfield position if possible from barrier 10. He said SPEEDY WALLY began well and he initially rode his mount along so as to be able to clear runners to his inside in order to obtain a position in midfield. He said immediately after the start SPEEDY WALLY commenced to race with its head on the side and lay in which made it difficult for him to position the horse as instructed. He said when there was a line of horses racing to his inside after the 1500 Metres, he elected to allow his mount to continue forward to race outside the lead rather than restrain it given that it was already racing intractably with its head on the side. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of DESMIOS, U Rispoli stated that his mount travelled well behind the speed in the early and middle stages and when shifting his mount to the outside of THE SHOW at the entrance to the Straight, he expected DESMIOS to finish off the race well. He said however that the horse immediately came under pressure and was not completely comfortable in its action. He added when pulling up after the race DESMIOS made a number of abnormal breathing noises. A veterinary inspection of DESMIOS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, DESMIOS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Veterinary Officer reported that INDIGENOUS STAR had sustained a wound to the right front coronet. UNICRON JEWELLERY and GODSPEED were sent for sampling.