07/01/2018  Shatin  Race 5

Whilst in the saddling stalls, ROCKET GO had its left hind plate refitted. ROCKET GO was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. ROCKET GO and WINASWEWISH were slow to begin. Shortly after the start, NEVER BETTER and CITY LEGEND bumped heavily as a result of both horses shifting ground. NEVER BETTER then became further unbalanced when buffeted between CITY LEGEND which shifted in when unbalanced and GOOD FOR YOU which shifted out marginally. After travelling about 100 Metres, ELITE POWER (C Y Ho) commenced to prove very difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of runners in advance for a considerable distance. After the race, C Y Ho stated that his mount took charge at this time, resulting in him not being able to properly control it. When ELITE POWER proved very difficult to settle, that horse shifted in and hampered ROOKIE STAR after the 1300 Metres when being checked away from the heels of COMPASSION STAR and then near the 900 Metres shifted out away from the heels of NOBLE STEED and made contact with CITY LEGEND, causing that horse to become badly unbalanced and taken wider and without cover. GOOD FOR YOU, which was following CITY LEGEND and also proving difficult to settle, got its head up when being checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence. After this, CITY LEGEND was allowed to improve its position, however, continued to race wide and without cover. The racing manners of ELITE POWER were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ELITE POWER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial around a bend. Passing the 1100 Metres, COMPASSION STAR improved of its own accord to be racing inside the heels of UNIQUE JOYFUL which at this time shifted out after being crossed by HAPPY WARRIOR. Then, when the tempo of the race slackened, COMPASSION STAR proved very difficult to settle when being steadied to resume its position behind UNIQUE JOYFUL. When proving very difficult to settle, COMPASSION STAR shifted in away from the heels of UNIQUE JOYFUL, resulting in LUCKY TIME becoming unbalanced when crowded for room. After taking evidence from Z Purton (COMPASSION STAR), M L Yeung (UNIQUE JOYFUL) and T Berry (HAPPY WARRIOR), the Stewards found that COMPASSION STAR’s racing manners had contributed to this incident by improving inside the heels of UNIQUE JOYFUL despite the efforts of its rider to remain racing in the position behind that horse. Nonetheless, T Berry was advised that at this stage he had reduced the tempo and was warned against the practice of steadying the pace of races such that other horses and riders are not able to adapt to the change in tempo. Near the 850 Metres, UNIQUE JOYFUL got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of HAPPY WARRIOR. NOBLE STEED travelled wide and without cover until near the 700 Metres. Approaching the 400 Metres, ELITE POWER shifted in and bumped NEVER BETTER, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. UNIQUE JOYFUL had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. For some distance in the early part of the Straight, HAPPY WARRIOR and CITY LEGEND raced tight, resulting in both horses making contact on a number of occasions. Passing the 200 Metres, CITY LEGEND, which was commencing to give ground, was steadied when racing tight between UNIQUE JOYFUL which was racing tight inside COMPASSION STAR and HAPPY WARRIOR which was taken out marginally by TRAVEL EMPEROR. Passing the 50 Metres, NOBLE STEED was bumped on the hindquarters by TRAVEL EMPEROR which, after improving into tight running between that horse and CARE FREE PRINCE, was then taken out marginally by CARE FREE PRINCE. Close to the finishing line, HAPPY WARRIOR was awkwardly placed close to the heels of NOBLE STEED. LUCKY TIME was not able to obtain clear running at any stage in the Straight and consequently was not able to be properly tested. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that ROOKIE STAR had sustained a minor wound to the right hind pastern and NOBLE STEED had sustained minor wounds above the left hock and the right hind cannon. A veterinary inspection of CITY LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NOBLE STEED, COMPASSION STAR and TRAVEL EMPEROR were sent for sampling. <8/1/2018 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that ELITE POWER was lame in its right front leg on the morning after racing. As previously advised, ELITE POWER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial around a bend being allowed to race again. The horse will now also be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that WINASWEWISH was lame in its right front leg with an inflamed fetlock on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, WINASWEWISH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.