03/03/2018  Shatin  Race 10

HAPPY GUY shifted out at the start and bumped DYNAMIC EAGLE. LUCKY GUY lifted its front feet off the ground at the start and began only fairly. From the outside barrier, JOYFUL MOMENTS got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied so as to shift across behind runners to obtain cover in the early stages. Approaching the 900 Metres, GREEN CARD was inconvenienced when momentarily crowded for room inside GOD OF DRAGON which shifted in. Passing the 300 Metres, WINSTON’S LAD was shifted to the outside of MERRYGOWIN to obtain clear running. Near the 50 Metres, the whip of K Teetan (LUCKY GUY) was knocked from his grasp by the whip of U Rispoli (GOD OF DRAGON). Throughout the race, MERRYGOWIN travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of JOYFUL MOMENTS, A Sanna stated that from the outside barrier he was asked to shift the horse across behind runners, ride the horse for luck in the Straight and attempt to obtain inside runs. He said in accordance with his instructions he shifted JOYFUL MOMENTS across behind runners and near the 1000 Metres he was following BEAUTY TRUST. He said as he was aware that that horse was racing with its head on the side and wanting to lay out, he was reluctant to improve around BEAUTY TRUST as he did not want to be taken unnecessarily wide should that horse fail to negotiate the first turn. He said when BEAUTY TRUST continued to lay out, he was able to improve his position to be racing inside that horse after the 800 Metres. He said he niggled JOYFUL MOMENTS along to improve its position and slapped the horse down the shoulder with the whip, however, JOYFUL MOMENTS did not pick up as he had hoped and it took the horse some time to join the main body of the field which he was able to do at the entrance to the Straight. He added he then shifted JOYFUL MOMENTS out in an endeavour to obtain clear running, however, he was unable to do so until passing the 150 Metres after which the horse finished off the race fairly. A Sanna was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, the Stewards were of the view that he should have made more of an endeavour to join the main body of the field in the middle stages. He was further advised to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner so that they do not get too far out of their ground. When questioned, D Whyte stated that despite him riding HOME RUN hard in the early stages, that horse would not stretch out and did not feel comfortable in its action. He said he continued to push the horse for some distance in the early stages and initially gave consideration to easing it out of the race, however, after the 1000 Metres he gathered up HOME RUN to see if the horse would respond better rather than being aggressively ridden. He said when he did this HOME RUN commenced to travel a little more comfortably, however, was still reluctant to stretch out fully. He added that as he did not detect anything amiss with HOME RUN, he continued to ride the horse along throughout the race rather than easing it down. He said he suggested to connections that they consider amending the horse’s gear in its future starts to see if this would assist in it travelling better in its races. A veterinary inspection of HOME RUN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of HOME RUN was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HOME RUN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MERRYGOWIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CALCULATION, TURIN REDSTAR and ULTIMATE GLORY were sent for sampling.