10/02/2018  Shatin  Race 5

KIWI SUNRISE was slow to begin. NOBLE DE LOVE and LUCKY TIME made heavy contact at the start, causing both horses to become badly unbalanced. After this, NOBLE DE LOVE was ridden along, however, failed to muster speed and consequently raced back in the field. AMBITIOUS HEART shifted out at the start and bumped CELESTIAL NOVA. ROOKIE STAR was tightened for room on jumping between EMPIRE STAR which shifted in and TRIUMPHAL TRUMPET which got its head up and shifted out abruptly. After this, from a wide barrier, ROOKIE STAR was steadied to obtain cover whilst EMPIRE STAR was ridden along, however, after a short distance when racing wide was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, RAY’S CALL was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Despite being hard ridden in the early stages, UNIQUE JOYFUL was slow to muster speed and consequently travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. Despite being ridden along for a considerable distance in the early stages, CHARITY KINGDOM failed to muster speed. Passing the 1200 Metres, SEA PEARL was awkwardly placed inside the heels of PLANET STAR. Passing the 500 Metres, KIWI SUNRISE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ROCKET GO when racing tight inside LUCKY TIME which was racing close to the heels of SEA PEARL. CELESTIAL NOVA lay out rounding the Home Turn. Approaching the 350 Metres, KIWI SUNRISE was steadied away from the heels of LUCKY TIME when disappointed for running between that horse and ROCKET GO which was commencing to give ground. Passing the 350 Metres, CELESTIAL NOVA and PLANET STAR raced tight. Also passing the 350 Metres. NOBLE DE LOVE had some difficulty obtaining clear running. After initially shifting out away from CHARITY KINGDOM, ROOKIE STAR was steadied when crowded for room near the 250 Metres between CHARITY KINGDOM and TRIUMPHAL TRUMPET (A Sanna) which shifted in. A Sanna was advised to exercise more care. Near the 50 Metres, CHARITY KINGDOM raced tight between UNIQUE JOYFUL and SEA PEARL which shifted out. When questioned regarding PLANET STAR being ridden in a forward position, Trainer P O’Sullivan stated that at its last start when stepping up to 1650 Metres for the first time, he was keen to ensure that the horse did not over race so as to provide it with the best opportunity to finish off its race. He said the horse had previously raced over 1200 Metres and he was concerned that with the step up in distance to 1650 Metres, were the horse to be ridden along in the early stages to take up a forward position, it may then not settle and consequently would not be able to finish off its race. He said at its only other start over 1400 Metres last season, PLANET STAR had been ridden in a forward position, however, prior to today’s race, he still considered that the horse would be better suited by being ridden back in the field. He said however in pre-race discussions with K C Leung, the rider of PLANET STAR, it was felt that it was likely that today’s race would not be run at a fast tempo and therefore there was an opportunity for PLANET STAR to again be ridden forward to overcome its awkward barrier. Mr O’Sullivan did however reiterate that the manner in which the horse was ridden today was similar to the manner in which it was ridden at its only other start over the course and distance. PLANET STAR and LUCKY TIME were sent for sampling.