01/01/2018  Shatin  Race 7

VICTORY MARVEL was withdrawn on 30.12.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, VICTORY MARVEL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. POWER MAN was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, THE CREATETH was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. After being ridden along for a considerable distance in the early stages to obtain a forward position, PRIMERO was left racing very wide after the 900 Metres and was therefore steadied to obtain cover behind CALIFORNIA FORTUNE which travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. Passing the 200 Metres, GOD OF DRAGON raced in restricted room between CALIFORNIA ARCHER and CALIFORNIA FORTUNE which was commencing to give ground. THE CREATETH was held up for clear running from near the 250 Metres until after the 200 Metres at which stage the horse was directed to the outside of PRIMERO to obtain clear running. When questioned, A Badel (AFFLUENCE START) stated that in the early stages he was following CALIFORNIA ARCHER. He said the tempo of the race in the early stages was good and near the 900 Metres he observed that INFINITY ENDEAVOUR was being ridden along aggressively in an attempt to obtain a position in front of AFFLUENCE START and behind CALIFORNIA ARCHER. He said at this time he would have had to ride his mount along to remain racing behind CALIFORNIA ARCHER to prevent INFINITY ENDEAVOUR from crossing and he did not believe that this was in the horse’s best interests. He said he therefore allowed INFINITY ENDEAVOUR to shift in in advance of AFFLUENCE START and followed that horse in the middle stages before shifting AFFLUENCE START to the outside of INFINITY ENDEAVOUR at the entrance to the Straight. A veterinary inspection of CALIFORNIA FORTUNE and PRIMERO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. INFINITY ENDEAVOUR and PRINCE HARMONY were sent for sampling.